Masthead header

before and after

i found some pictures while purging the craft room of magazines and crap i don't need. 
and i thought you'd LOVE to see what we have done in this house.
oh how far we've come.

this was our kitchen when we moved in… (looking south)
K4
and then in the middle of the gut…  

Kitchen1
we took out the wall (left side)and removed absolutely everything.
  
IMG_0979
and now it looks like this.
 
K6
before…with the wall of cabinets that was taken down… (looking east)

 
K15
 obviously during the remodel…wall taken down…and the day the windows were being put in.

IMG_0976
and after.
the central spot of my home.  
that is where i spend hours and hours a day!  

K3
oh my.
do you feel like cringing?  i do.

IMG_0968
after.
that white just makes everything so bright and cheery.
and the art museum of my kiddos…happy happy happy!

K5
looking in to the computer area…before.

IMG_0973
those chairs are RARELY empty.
kids are in them all the time….webkinz all the time.
 

K16
during the remodel…looking west.
little tiny talby.
she's barefoot.  
you can send my good mommy award to meg duerksen..555 main street….

IMG_0959
and now.
talby is so big….and still barefoot. 
wall is gone.
it's all one big room instead of two.

Sc0130585f
and just for fun…
lauren was 10.
and she loved those pants.  and so did i.
the ceiling was opened up to see what was up there.  
and was great for hanging…if your daddy puts you up there.

Sc013082b6
six men bringing in the countertop for the island.
it was hysterical to watch.

Kitchen
it took a long time.

IMG_0995
the island.
we eat every meal here.
our family fits just right.
christmas cards lined the window this year…
 
         
IMG_1002
someone was feeling fancy…so i snapped one of him.

so…that was my befor
e and after tour for the day.
*****edited…our kitchen work was done by Bernie Zuercher of BEZ Construction…AWESOME!!!
      and our cabinets were done by Becker Cabinets in Hesston….FABULOUS!!!*********

aimee {sixteen fourteen} - This is absolutely stunning, full of life and character. Your space totally exemplifies effortless style!

Roselyn Withem - This is a perfect example of what an amazing remodeling project can do. I’m astonished with how the sun rays passed clearly through those brand new windows. How is it living in a remodeled house? Does it feel better?

Chase Conely - Your kitchen’s much more beautiful now! Before, it was too dark because of the wooden cabinets and maroon walls. Now, it looks brighter and more inviting! Who thought of this design? We’re planning to renovate our kitchen and this will be one of our design inspirations, for sure!

Bethany - Great re-do!
What type of wood are the floors – oak?
And are they engineered or solid wood that was sanded and finished?

Karlynn - EEE! I love home reno posts, especially when they do a white kitchen like the one I am putting in 🙂

Lawrence Cooks - At first, I couldn’t believe the change. I thought it was some photo from a magazine. Seriously! It’s really awesome, Meg. You turned your kitchen from manly and crowded to serene and family friendly. Actually, that’s the same thing that I told our kitchen remodelers (Minneapolis-based). I wanted a kitchen that can relax me after a day’s work, and my wife wished for something that will remain tasteful in many years to come. Well, we got what we desired, and we have those Minneapolis kitchen remodelers to thank. This is one of the best improvements I’ve seen, Meg. Bravo!

Kari - Gorgeous transformation! I love the giant chalkboard. And, that dog….he’s about the cutest thing I’ve ever seen! I’m partial to big fluffy dogs, we have an airedale terrier.

Christine Aldinger - lord this is beautiful

Jenny B. - Wow! Wow! Wow!!! I just recently discovered your blog when you were a guest poster on Under the Sycamore. I added yours to my favorites right away. I am just in awe of the transformation! The most amazing before/after (to me) is the shot of where the fridge was supposed to go and the view of the floor to ceiling cabinets. That one only shows a little bit of structural change, but what a difference the white paint makes!! Thanks for sharing! P.S. I always hang my clothes up in rainbow color order. 🙂

philippines homes - WOW! I really like the design of your kitchen. This is an amazing property, very very good designed.
Deirdre G

Julianne - I love this, I love this, I love this, I love this. You know what I love the most, besides that amazing island and the wonderful white? All the children’s artwork and crafts everywhere. Instantly feels homey and inviting and happy.
Beautiful!

MrsLimestone - Wow – what an amazing transformation. Totally and completely gorgeous.

Jenn A. - Oh, I absolutely LOVE seeing these pictures. I hope it’s not offensive to anyone to say that the old kitchen made me shudder in horror. Yikes, you have some incredible vision to turn it into the beautiful space that it is today!
I absolutely love the comfortable, yet super classy style of the remodel. Thanks for taking the time to share these. 🙂
Jenn

Amber - It was so fun to see your before and after pictures. it makes the afters seem all the more amazing. 🙂 I love your white cabinets. You’ve done such a beautiful job with your home. My parents are about to remodel their kitchen and my mom wants to go antique white. I can’t wait for the update.

cynthia - this post is the reason i love white cabinets. when we bought our current home with knotty alder kitchen cabinets i broke out in a rash…but my hubby said i could paint them white like i did in our old house. then hubby took it back. 3 1/2 years later i am still itching to paint them white. this post made me itch harder.

Melanie - Are the wooden floors by Bruce Hardwood?

Heidi Jo the Artist - Thanks for sharing! Love all the renovation details, gives us hope for our fix-it-upper. 😉

ingrid - wow.. that ‘before’ kitchen.. it’s so atrocious it’s hard to look away!
your new kitchen is *beautiful* – love the open design, the white, the lovely lighting. congratulations!

Meredith - Can I just come and live with you? It’s just me…and my husband…and our 2 year old daughter…oh yeah, and our 4 month old son. Got room? I’ll even clean the kitchen after EVERY meal! Love the kitchen re-model – AMAZING transformation!

Diana - Your paint resembles mine… it was called chamomile… very light, almost white, but not. I use it and glossy white in every room of our house. Our house is TINY and not a lot of great windows, so I use those paints in every room… ohhhh for some abundant southern light! I believe our whole house could fit inside your kitchen. LOL!
I have always loved your house, I sooooooo enjoy seeing it when I pass by. Always wondered what the inside looked like. The work you guys did is SUPERB! What an AWESOME transformation!
I shall try not to covet my neighbor’s house….
*sigh*
Not working. LOL!

Miss Em - I’m in love with your kitchen – there is drool all over my keyboard.
What I also spotted was the cookie sheet under your dog bowls – genius! Do you have some sort of non-slip on the bottom of the tray to keep it from sliding across the hardwoods?
-Emily

Traci - your kitchen is a dream kitchen for me. so big and spacious. love it. love it. can you see me crying through the computer?

Jimaiemarie - Your house transformation is AMAZING and totally inspiring…I’ve always loved your home but to see how it was before and then the after, I have so much more appreciation for it’s beauty & uniqueness now! You are awesome.
As always I’m just lovin your family, many many blessings on you guys!

mel - The before & afters are amazing. LOVE it. Love the island. I would eat dinner there every night also. I would love to sit at that island with you & drink a mug of peppermint hot coco & hang out & talk. Better yet, would be drinking a glass of wine 🙂 Anyways, I absolutely 100% love everything you did to your kitchen!

Debby - Love your before and after! So very cool. I love looking at things like this…gives me inspiration. I have a question for you though. The cabinet wall where your kids art work is displayed – I remember reading that you kept those cabinets and just had them repainted. Do you know anything about repainting cabinets? We are considering purchasing a house with kitchen cabinets that I would like to repaint (we can’t afford to replace) and am worried that they will be too delicate painted over.

Heather Giustino - What a gorgeous kitchen – I am super jealous!! My husband just stained our kitchen cabinets and I thought *that* was a big project! LOL!
You guys did a beautiful job!

Mike and McGee - I love your kitchen. I showed photos of it to Mike a long time ago. What I especially love about your space is that it is LIVED IN. You have kids’ artwork on the cabinet doors, Christmas cards hanging up, drawings on the chalkboard, and snacks on the island counter. It’s a REAL kitchen in a REAL house, with lots of kids, and not some fancied up space that is completely unrealistic for those of us with young children.

Nicole - wow, that kitchen is a stunner! Awesome job!

kasey - gorgeous!
This should bring the magazines a calling;-)
xo

J.B. Kinrich - What a wonderfu renovation. Kudos to you. And a special “thank you” for taking the “after” shots in exactly the same spot you stood for the “befores.” It drives me crazy when you see magazines with Befores and Afters that don’t line up–so hard to figure out what went on! Your home is absolutely lovely.

elma - Oh I just love this post:) I love your kitchen it is perfect every inch of it!! Tell me are the cabinets hard to keep clean?? Love the floor to. Hope you show more of what you have done.

Micah - Incredible. Like you didn’t already know – you have 147 comments ;).

Beth - So happy to see these pics. I want to live here. I love love love it. I’m always looking at your blog, love your recipes too!

Ashley Crenshaw - Love your kitchen Meg! I think I would actually cook in there! And Waffle… I just want to cuddle with him every time I see his picture. Sigh. You live in Happy Land!

jen - That is UNbelievable! Amazing! What vision you had! Can you show us more of the rest of the house? Pretty Palllleeeaaaase?!

Amanda - Your kitchen (and entire house for that matter) is beautiful! I just love Waffle…he looks so huggable!

eve - LOOOOOVE this! You did a fabulous job!!!

sandy toe - I can’t stop looking at your pictures…
sandy toe

the inadvertent farmer - What a happy place…just what the heart of the home should be, it rocks! Kim

Sarah @ Clover Lane - the best before and after i’ve ever seen…i adore your kitchen…has to be my favorite ever.

Nancy - What? You wanted to change your cabinets??? 🙂 Love the before and afters. Love your kitchen. EVERYTHING… I have shown my hubby your pics and told him THAT is what I want to do to ours. Now he knows, thank you very much.

Elisa - Oh Meg, your kitchen is amazing. I love it. Love love love.

anna cordes - i know this officially goes with your last post, but I just finished “half the sky” on sunday. holy heck! It was INCREDIBLE. I have my degree in Econ, with an emphasis in development and that book fired me up like no other. I literally want to read it again now to pick up the stuff I missed. I’m still sorting through what I want to do with my re-ignited justice heart. I can’t wait to read your reactions to it. I also read a long way gone a few years ago, its good as well, but half the sky, dang. incredible!

Andrea - I love love love your kitchen!
I’m wondering what kind of appliances you have…especially your dishwasher. With several kids, I’m guessing yours gets a good workout, but it looks fab too!
Is it possible to have a dishwasher that performs as great as it looks?

julia - oooh! the green envy monster just showed up!

Melanie - I just have to say that I love a good kitchen remodel! It looks great, looks happy, and looks just like you. Great job!

crystal - That is my dream kitchen!!! Absolutely a fantastic redo! One question – how do you keep all of the white so clean? I have white cabinets and no matter how often I wipe them down they still seem to have smudges on them. Oh and Mr. Waffle is looking very snazzy.

Lisa Liddell - That purple is just HIDEOUS! You sure had an eye for a good thing when you brought the place. WOW. You have just done the most fantastic job. Was it your vision, or a joint effort with hubby, builder etc?
I really do LOVE Waffle. I wonder if I could get his breed here in Australia? What breed is he?

Debbie - Wow. That is a awesome kitchen redo. I’m jealous. I LOVE your dog. He is so cute. What breed is he?

mandysisco - it makes me want to cry… you have my dream house! it is beautiful! love it!

Kirsten - Ummmm…do you wish you’d contacted HGTV or something before today? Although…I can tell a tale of our neighbors being on HGTV “Bang For Your Buck” and they tv-rigged the story. But still…

Jamie - Love it!!! I could disect each thing bc I’d love to know about it all, but I’ll spare you! My biggest question is this: what paint color did you use? This is my dream kitchen. Thank you for sharing:)

Rachel / cREaTe - wow. yikes. and WOWZERS. your kitchen is the most gorgeous space i’ve ever seen. EVER!!!!!!! i’m just happy to lay my eyes on it. i can’t imagine being able to visit it every day! 🙂

Mindy - I love a good makeover and yours is outstanding. But really, Waffle almost steals the show. My husband keeps trying to talk me into a smaller, less $$ dog, but I keep seeing Waffle.
Way to go on an awesome re-do that someday someone won’t say-OMG, do you see what they did?!

Jodi - Amazing! Not only is it absolutely gorgeous but it just screams happy family, happy place! Love it!

Jaime - What a transformation! Wow. Great job!

Lindsay - In love with your kitchen…every inch.

Andrea @ Big Creek Cottage - I LOVE your kitchen….but waffle…well, he just makes me smile!

Christina - That is sooo amazing!! We live in a rental house, and I dream of a kitchen like that. 🙂 The windows are fantastic…all that light! I’d be in there all the time, too.

Foy (Garden Cook Write Repeat) - Wow! Your house has a ton of storage! I’m envious! Further more you did a beautiful job with the remodel. It’s doesn’t even look like the same place. So much lighter and open! Good work.

jenjen - Amazing!!! What an amazing transformation! We eat at our island all the time too — so cozy! I love everything that you did!!!
XOOX
Jen

Carol S. - killer befores and afters. Had no idea the space sprawled like that and the sitting area worked that way. REALLY amazing transformation.

Daisy Cottage - I adore your home and its’ wonderful, loving, creative, and happy vibe. There’s no place like home and yours exemplifies that beautifully.
xo,
Kim

linda@LimeintheCoconut - Oh!
THUNK
(me swooning)
No more words. None.

Dorisa Ramos - Like everyone else, I LOVE your kitchen, but have to ask what kind of dog is that? He’s adorable. My fiance and I are looking for a dog that he isn’t allergic to that is still cute and cuddly.

meaghan - OH MY!! i loooooooove seeing more pics of your home! it’s gorgeous! i totally love all of the globes up there above the fridge! i need to do that somewhere! show us more! did you ever do anything with that 3rd floor?

Cate O'Malley - Absolutely stunning transformation!

Rachel - WOW! …it looks amazing now!

Holly - amazing transformation! We have a 100 yr old farm house and there is always a project going on here. I love to see what others are doing. We are about to add a wall and a door to turn one really big bedroom into two!

DreamGirlLisa - Beautiful job! I love the look you have, just what I would do, white cabinets w/dark counter tops, makes such a nice contrast. I have many of these before and after shots similar to this too, but I have yet to build my real dream kitchen.
I love your entire house…

Beth Eaton - I don’t normally comment on blogs that I follow but I wanted to say that you have an absolutely AMAZING home!!! You have created a wonderful haven to raise your family in. You are doing a great job in such a beautiful place. You should be proud!!

Jen - I LOVE your kitchen and want to copy the cabinets, the counter top, etc. Wish I could copy the space (my kitchen’s much smaller)! Those cabinets before were wonderful because there were so many of them but sheesh, it’s amazing how “dark” was the thing.

TammyR - I would not only spend hours every day in there, I think I would just sleep in there!! This kitchen is to die for! What a great transformation! Thanks for sharing.

LeAnn - Probably one of the most beautiful kitchens I’ve ever seen. I love everything about it. You are one lucky girl Meg!
LeAnn

Julie - I love this! I’ve always thought your kitchen was amazing, and now I have even more respect for it. Well done!

Betsy - If Waffle goes missing one day, you should probably take the trip to Overland Park & track me down by my IP address! {That’s what you can do with IP addresses, right? That’s what I always see on my favorite crime shows!}
I want to hug on him … RIGHT NOW! 🙂

Kelly H - This is so so so freakin’ fantastic. I love your kitchen.

aubrey - meg that’s such an incredibly better difference–it’s so awesome! i would never have had the vision to get that ‘after’ out of that ‘before’–i love it. and yay for being able to hire someone else to do the dirty work–i decided i’m not a good diy-er and always wish we could hire out all our home improvements. 😉

Alyssa - I just love the vision you had…great job….was it all your vision…how did you know to ope up the kitchen and do the row of windows?
love the computer nook.

Karrie - Hi Meg-I just found your blog and this is the first post I’ve read and I’m already compelled to comment. First~your kitchen is amazing and I will probably spend a good portion of my evening digging through your archives. And second, I just melt when I see a big, scruffy dog and your dog is so cute! He looks like a large version of my fur baby, Bindi.(http://thebrickcottage.blogspot.com/2009/10/bindi-got-haircut.html)

Erin Goodman - Thanks for sharing the before pics. It is so inspiring to see the befores and afters. You have done a great job with that house!

Amy R. - AWESOME kitchen! I am amazed and I just love all of it! Also, your resolutions are so right on with what I need to do! Can you tell me where you got your roman shades in your kitchen? How long did your reno take? I am in the middle of a bathroom reno. and it is a slow process! Email me when you have time: athomeamy1@windstream.net
Thanks,
Amy

Secret Mom Thoughts - I’m so jealous. Awesome remodel.

Dana D@BoysMyJoys - Oh my heavens! What A LOT of work y’all have done!!! You did an amazing job! And, despite my love of dark reds, greens, golds, and black, you’ve got me wanting to paint everything around me white and bright. Just out of curiousity, what is the paint color in your kitchen?

Kat - Wow! That kitchen before was pretty bad. It was so dark. You guys did a really great job of renovating it. It looks fantastic now!

tasha roe - its stunning!!! what a remarkable makeover! those windows are pretty super-fantastic!! love looking through your remodel pictures. it gives me inspiration and hope for our 90 year old place!

Vera - WOW!! I absolutely adore your kitchen and often look at pictures of it when I think about re-doing ours (it would be like a mini mini version of yours ha!) That is amazing to see what you had to work with. Great job!

Jess - oh. my.
love.

Brooke - awesome, love it!

Donna - Meg – I too, love your house – the entire thing! The kitchen is awesome! I am going to send you some pics soon and ask your opinion……..here is my ongoing dilemna~ I have cherry cabinets in my kitchen and black granite. I want white – always have but bought the house this way. I have been thinking about having the cherry cabinets painted white or cream and people tell me not to. I have been told that people want cherry and I have I would ruin the value of my home….blah blah!! I don’t care, it is my house and I want white. I have gone back and forth on it. What would you do???

jeanne - I can not believe what vision you had!!! Did you have help with the design??? I have told you before…but gorgeous! Where did you get your chandeliers???

Kristi - I really love your kitchen, very envious!
I’m looking at buying a house that was built in the 1930s and if we get it we will be remodeling the kitchen. Since your house is an older one as well, I didn’t know if you tried to somewhat stay with the age of the house with some modern twists or if it just happened to work out?
Thanks and again, I love your kitchen!!!

sarah - TRYING SO HARD to control my jealousy. You have a dream kitchen!!! Beautiful.

Grace - You’ve given me hope! I can’t stand my kitchen and want to do a remodel on it, now I know what I need to do! Thanks! Bring on the sledghammer!

Heather - wow that is amazing!! I love how it turned out! Just like everyone else….I want your house!

immyyas - I soooo have kitchen envy!!!

Donna - Um, OMG. You must have really had a vision when you first saw that kitchen! Love it!

Staci Danford - What an incredible Makeover… I just LOVE your kitchen.. Makes me want to go paint all of mine WHITE!! I bet your family loves to be in that room.
Staci

christy harrison - How incredibly gorgeous!!!! It’s so dreamy and homey and full of life! I love it.

mary elizabeth - WOW!!!! That is amazing! Thanks for sharing that! We are getting ready to redo an gut our kitchen .. much smaller, but I would love t know what color your walls are painted in there? We are getting new white cabinets and black granite countertops .. the walla are a bright yellow now and I was thinking about keeping it, but am having second thoughts … do you remember what color that is? thanks!!

Jacci - That’s so SUPER fun to see those before and afters! Very inspiring 🙂 We’re in the middle of redoing our trim, and my husband put woodwork around our doors that is very similar to yours. Didn’t realize you all had completely gutted this space. It looks awesome, Meg 🙂
Thanks for sharing it!
~Jacci in Ohio

dianereeves - I love seeing the before and after. You brought that space to life!

Rachel Ridd - There are SO many things I love about your kitchen … the island, the big windows, how clean the white looks, the chandeliers, the globes, the glass knobs, the chalkboard, the double stoves, the golden doodle, and the list could go on and on! AMAZING 🙂

your cool friend Cheryl - I LOVE IT!!! We took our overly oak laden kitchen and turned it white, too…it’s amazing how it brightens up the space!
(And it took a whole bunch of smelly delivery men to get our granite in the house, too. lol)

Dianne Avery - I try hard to not be jealous in life, but I’m SO jealous of your kitchen!!! I would love a big open kitchen like that. I also want your daughters tie dye pants. 🙂

Yolanda - It is so beautiful! Love the white, I know it has to make you all happy!!

Lisa - I have serious kitchen envy. So glorious and beautiful! Seriously, who in the world thought that much dark wood in a tiny space was a good idea? Guh-LOOM-y! Love it now. Perfect.

Sarah @ Dream In Domestic - Thank you for sharing this! I was wondering what it had looked like before! It’s interesting to see Talby and Lauren then now as compared to then. Precious!
The kitchen looks amazing without even seeing the before pics, but wow! It was pretty outdated before. I love all the light in your kitchen now. Can’t wait to have my own like it one day. 🙂

amy jupin - holy crapoly!! that’s whack!
(why am i busting out with the jive talk again…now that’s scary…but not as scary as those “before” pics! 🙂
your kitchen is A-MAZING!!!!

Maria - just looking at your kitchen makes me happy, you can tell it is a place filled with love!
Kitchen remodels are never fun, but oh-so-worth-it!
Thanks for sharing!

Amnah - Dude, your kitchen is amazing. Absolutely perfect.

Lee Ann - AMAZING!!! Have the previous owners seen what you’ve done? I bet they’d be very sad they sold it!

Tracy - Absolutely GORGEOUS, Meg! Thanks for sharing – ya’ll did such a wonderful job and it is SO BEAUTIFUL and if my kitchen looked like that I would never leave! :o)

shelly - I’ve always loved your kitchen!!! Never in a million billion years would I have thought it was remodeled from dark and purple (hehehe) to such a bright inviting space! You give me such hope in our own remodeling process 🙂

elizabeth highsmith - if you ever create a flight plan, or another life alternative i, hope it includes you as a designer. wowzers. p-r-e-t-t-y!

Julie Wriston - Wow!! I love your home and love looking at your pictures! Like seeing the before pics ~ Love seeing the afters! Cheers!

Tracy - please pass a tissue. I need something to mop up this drool!!
Your photos are going into my dream files!
What a great kitchen.
Happy Monday ~

Laura Phelps - I might actually die from jealousy
seriously
my chest feels tight
but I think I spotted my Christmas card…
so I feel a part of the beauty….
ya know…I know that it is the PEOPLE that make a home
and that things are just things
but I have to say
a pretty home IS important
it just is
you are a lucky lucky woman meg
thanks for sharing

Ashley Ann - Awesome work and what a great eye for bringing it all together and making so bright and fresh. Love it. Love the windows.

Heather - Such a beautiful home! I fantasize about that kind of remodel . . . but we can’t seem to get around to finishing the baseboards. Can’t imagine the bodes well for a larger project:)

Becky @ Farmgirl Paints - Your kitchen is my dream. Seriously, love the cream cabinets, the subway tile, dark wood floors, countertops all of it. How do you know my brain??
Jeanne and I will be having a consersation about this I’m sure!!! We covet your house…isn’t that nice of your sweet blog friends:) Thanks so much for sharing. Now I have wonderful pics to refer back to when we someday redo ours!!

Karina - I want to move in!!! I love your house, already loved your gorgeous kitchen, but now I really appreciate it – how did you have such vision in face of the gloomy cave it was “before?” The before and after are inspiring and frightening – you changed SO much and had to gut it SO much and it must have taken some rather sizeable moolah…BUT completely worth it. I agree with the person who said it is the nicest kitchen anywhere. You say you spend hours and hours in it; I’d probably sleep in it too!

Vicki - Having some MAAAAJOR kitchen envy here!!! WOW! Gorgeous!! 🙂 Must feel so good to look back and see these pics!

Tonya - Gracious sakes girl, that was a lot of work! I {heart} your white cabinets w/the black countertop! Love everything about it!

Anna Marie - be right back…have to go find something to wipe the drool off my chin…

Angela - Absolutely Wonderful. Thanks for sharing.

Mel - That was amazing. Did Ty Pennington help you? Because it looks like a totally different house. Wow!

Heather - I agree with Cristie…you had vision! The remodel changes the whole house. It just looks amazing!!

HEATHER - Jaw drop…I love your kitchen. And knowing what it looked like…WOW!

juli Elgin - That is exactly the kitchen I want. Love it.

kate b - i really think you have my dream kitchen. i’ve been pulling things out of magazines and pointing out ASPECTS of kitchens i like, but yours has basically everything i want. the full package. all those windows. all that white cabinetry. the island!
*sigh*
if i ever have a house, i’m copying you.

Tanya - What a beautiful home. So cozy big and bright!

Allison - You did an amazing job. Everything is just perfect and looks so inviting!

MS. Scientist - Holy moly guacamole! Amazing before and afters! Thanks for sharing!

Southern Belle Mama - Wow! Thanks for sharing some design inspiration! Odd question (nothing to do with the kitchen), but are the sofas you have a slipcover upholstered style or do they actually have slipcovers on them? If they have covers on them, where did you get them?

Georgia - How dark was your place before the re-fit???
Im glad you put those lovely windows in, it makes it so happy and cheery!
I like the way you have kept the wooden cupboards though, and painted them white, it makes the place more authentic 🙂
Diesel and Vinny say hi to Waffle! *woof*
Geo xx

Kristy - how stinking wonderful your home is.
just dreamy.
perfect.
i love everything about it, to the color of the cabinets right down the floor. Lucky you :O)
and the dog. looks human. too cute!

Patricia - So, so beautiful!
Thanks for sharing.
And Waffle is adorable :o)

merlin - Just what I needed to see, as my faith is waning on our own kitchen remodel nearing its 2 yr anniversary. Seeing your photos gives me hope that one day, hopefully soon, I will reap the reward and our family will be enjoying our “new” space.
Thanks for sharing and the encouragement.

Lk - Love it. we just moved into our home and I want white cabinets too – could you please tell me what kind of wood yours are? Mine are oak and I have heard mixed reviews on painting them… also, I’d love to know more about the chalkboard… it’s grand.

Rachel - Wow. That’s an amazing transformation! So fresh and clean.

Summer - LOVE IT! So fun, what a great home!

pinkmilkisyummy - I Love Love Love Love it! Would you come and do my house too? 🙂

lisa14895 - Oh. My. Goodness. The “after” is SO gorgeous. I love it. The cabinets are beautiful. The wood floors fantastic. Do they stand up well to dogs, kids, chairs, cleaning?

meghan - thanks so much for sharing…we just remodeled our 100yo family home. well, everything except the kitchen. my dad started that project right before he died and we couldn’t bear to erase his work. however…..someday…..i just know i’ll feel ok about it:) your kitchen is going into my inspiration pile fo sho! i have to go email my husband the link right now so i can get him motivated! have a great day!

TRACI - WOW, absolutely gorgeous …..I probably would have just painted every cabinet cream and called it a day. lol

Barb - You have my dream kitchen. I can’t believe what a transformation this was. Holy cow…purple walls? Eek!

emily@remodelingthislife - I’ve always been in love with your kitchen now but had NO IDEA what it was like before. Is it funny I just thought you bought it that way and lucked out? 🙂

Heather - WOW! That’s incredible! Thank you for sharing!
You have a beautiful kitchen!

Debra - You kitchen is to.die.for. Thanks for the tour!

Megan - Wow, what a transformation. You had such a great vision and you followed through. I don’t think I could do it, I don’t think, no, I know, I don’t have the patience and my husband and I would kill each other, lol
I just love your kitchen and your huge chalkboard!
Meg

Jen Christians - Let us know when you are ready to sell!! We will buy it! we have four kiddos, so that means room for one more!

sarah - How fun to see the before and afters!

Courtney - The before is HORRIBLE. I’m so glad you had such vision!

Chaos-Jamie - Dang! To have your vision.

Amy - Your house is beautiful!!
I want waffle. Seriously.

Krista - Gosh, please don’t be offended but the original kitchen was HORRIBLE! It must make you appreciate the finished product so much more. Love seeing the befores & afters and tiny little Talby peeking in the doorway. The new white kitchen is awesome. Thanks for sharing!

shari - GORGEOUS! You did an awesome job with the design. LOVE the wall of windows best. Don’t you just love the island cooktop? I don’t know how we ever lived without ours!
I would also LOVE to know more about the chalkboard? And what’s on it – chores?

purejoy - wow. i love your kitchen. your walls. the chalkboard paint on the door. and i am in love with waffes!

Kathy - Absolutely gorgeous!

thewatergirl - What a beautiful kitchen you have now! I love it!!!
By the way, what kind of dog do you have? He looks an awful lot like my ol’ mutt. We’ve determined mine to be at least partially Old English Sheepdog. Maybe the rest of him is whatever you’ve got there.
Once, again…I am so jealous of your kitchen.

Joanna @ The Casa - So great! You did a great job designing that!

Kelly - Best kitchen ever in the history of kitchens! I absolutely love every single thing about it! Thanks for sharing the flashback pictures.

Genevieve - I could look at pictures of your house (especially the kitchen!!) every day!
Can you please tell us about the giant chalkboard? Is it a proper chalkboard mounted on the wall OR is it chalkboard paint with trim mounted aound it?
Thanks so much!!

Lori - Wow! The before pictures made me seriously claustrophobic! And you could see past that to the beautiful house you have now. I am so impressed.

Amanda Jo - AMAZING!!! Your home is just breath taking! Can we move in? There’s only three of us and a dog…we’ll pay rent! 😉

Nichole - You have the prettiest home in THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE! (I’m sure of it… and completely jealous) 🙂

rebecca - Meg- I want to live in your kitchen! Did you design it?

Sharla - Out of everything, I love that wall of windows. Would love to hear how you decided what you wanted.

Jaimie - you should know that i love your house and i seriously covet it. every time i think of my future home, i think of your downstairs little bathroom with the hand-drawn/painted wall art and it makes me think of how beautiful your house is and how much i want to live in it. would you mind? haha

Wendy - Meg, you home is wonderful and warm. You’ve done amazing things and are in inspiration! And of course, love, love Waffle! 🙂

Jenn Thomas - Wow – how quick to forget what it looked like. I can’t imagine it any other way now.

MacKenzie - what a beautiful remodel! i love every inch of it! great job! 🙂

Hannah Lemmon - You have such a beautiful home! Your kitchen is to DIE for!

Penny - You have done an amazing job on your house! I love how open and inviting your home is.
I also LOVE Waffle! hehe

cristie carter - you are a woman with vision…and beautiful results. xox

Kim - Thanks for sharing! So how long did it take for the remodel? How did your family survive the process? I’m a white kitchen fan myself! Love it!!!!

Jennifer - that’s some serious work!!! it’s a beautiful kitchen! i’m so jealous!!

Jessie - I absolutely LOVE your house. It’s gorgeous! You did a great job on the makover. I wish I lived there!!

Share on FacebookTweet this PostPin Images to PinterestBack to Top

friday

IMG_9396
checking in today for a moment.

it is 10 degrees here.
that is COLD.
nasty cold.

i get to go on hot date tonight.
i am very excited about it.
never mind…date cancelled.  blah…. 

doing good on the resolutions so far…
the NO SUGAR is still on.
and by saying no sugar i mean nothing i think of as sugar…
ice cream, cookies, fruity pebbles, candy, hot chocolate, cafe mochas, pop, syrup, cupcakes!!!
but i have had a granola bar…yogurt…maple/brown sugar oatmeal
so…that is what i mean by no sugar.
i am not reading labels or substituting with artificial sweetners.
and i am not thinking it will be forever…just till i am no longer craving it and eating it 24-7.
at the very least until march.
it's gonna be tough. 

i just got these in the mail.
i don't usually read books (because i am a big LAME-O)
but these are "required reading" for a project…also in march.
IMG_0850_2
i am honestly excited to read them…and i rarely get excited about a book.
have you read these?
 

i made PW woman cookbook meatloaf and twice baked potatoes for dinner last night.
i messed up and it took me 2 full hours to get dinner on the table.
UGH.
but…those potatoes…WOWEE-WOW-WOW.  
so good.
just as we sat down craig said "aren't you going to take a picture?"  
they looked so yummy.
but i was too tired and hungry.

oh waffle.
he sure needs some grooming.
IMG_0849
but he's still pretty in his tiara. 
 
did you listen to Rachel?
what did you think?
i listened to it again last night….and got even more than the first time.
it is FULL.
i kept saying this to myself today:

Joy
and her four truths…love it.
go listen if you haven't.
i know it's long but it doesn't seem while you are listening.
you will changed.
 
 

Marcie Bowman - I read A Long Way Gone a few years ago. Great book! Did you ever see the movie Blood Diamonds? You need to after reading the book. never heard of the other book. I think you might also like Infidel. It’s about a Somali muslim woman who escapes her family and country. It’s amazing that women live in those circumstances in this day and age.

Heidi Jo the Artist - P.S. Loved the—I am here to serve with joy—too. Joy is my word for this year! Joy! 🙂 http://aliedwards.typepad.com/_a_/2009/12/one-little-word-2010.html

Heidi Jo the Artist - I loved listening to Rachel, really humbled me; sent it to several people, even the men in my life. I had seen it somewhere before but got interrupted and never finished it, but now I did. And I will be listening to it again, thanks so much for sharing!

my year without - Okay, I would LOVE to hear how your no-sugar thing is going so far. It sounds like you are being smart about it….giving up things that you KNOW have sugar in them but being more casual with other foods.
For me, I could not find this kind of moderation so I had to quit it completely….even the minute amounts in canned foods, sauces, breads, etc.
How is it going so far?

Kelly - I was just Ooo’ing and Ahhh’ing over your style when I read how you’re avoiding processed sugar, and I know you said it’s only temporary, but I thought I would pass along my blog anyway, in case you’re interested 🙂 I use only natural alternatives to processed sugar, like honey and stevia.
You rock. Love your site. Cheers, Kelly http://www.thespunkycoconut.com/

aubrey - you’re good about the sugar–i seem to have made it my personal mission to finish off all the crap from Christmas, with plans every day to make some new kind of junk.
i’m beginning to think i need a pioneer woman cookbook. is all her stuff pretty easy to make? easier than Racheal Ray anyway? i think i better go and see what they say on amazon.

Stephanie Carroll - Girl. Did you read my post (not that I really think you read my blog) about PW meatloaf? At least yours wasn’t raw.

Sarah @ Clover Lane - i will go listen…
and sammy looks just like waffle…a smaller version…those eyes!

Londen - I just found your blog and WOW! First I LOVE your house and the way you have made it so young and fresh, old houses are my favorite. And your family is beautiful! I will be back, I have a lot of looking around to do.

Anita - I read A Long Way Gone and it was really amazing…children in this country are so blessed, for the most part….And Rachel’s speech- well, I cried so hard I have Yoda eyes- all swollen now…And I will not give up sugar. But kudos to you for doing it.

Sarah Alsey - Thank you for the link to Rachel’s story. As a newlywed struggling to figure out how to serve and how to be “better” or “good enough”…I needed this. Thank you for your honesty. I’ve never met you, but I cherish your communication. I’m going to pass this on to my best friend who just found some truths in Titus 2 the other day.

adhocmom - Love your dog’s name. . my husband had a dog named Cinnamon. Can’t help but think they would have been good friends.
x
Paula
http://www.adhocmom.com

Dianne Avery - Love the bathtub pic. That needs to be printed and hung over your bathtub!! 🙂

hannah - watching rachel’s talk again tonight. thank you so much for sharing her story.

amy jupin - hi miss megan,
just popped in to say two things…
1. love the bathtub pic!
2. i listened to rachel’s story this past spring and when she passed, i cried for days. she was such a remarkable woman! thanks for reminding me of her words and bringing those thoughts back to the forefront of my mind. good, loving words for busy tired mommies.
‘night!

seb - Thank you so much for posting Rachel’s speech…I listened to it last week and her words still linger in my heart…absolutely moving and amazing! She has a testimony that I am sure is changing many hearts…all for God’s glory! Thank you again for sharing her…

Karina - This will sound strange to you, but I listened to Rachel, I cried, and it changed me, EVEN THOUGH I do not happen to believe in God. I am a mother, and I try to serve with joy even if it is not with Jesus in mind. The illness and death of someone like Rachel still profoundly affects me. It terrifies me as well, since I don’t happen to think we go anywhere after death. I wish I could believe in an afterlife, but I was brought up not to. I am exploring faith though; I find it compelling, I am especially attracted to blogs that are maintained by Christian women because I seem to share so many of their values (even with a huge gaping hole where God should be) and I am envious of those who can “get into it.”
Thank you for sharing – these things go beyond being Christian; they touch all of us who share the fact that we are human searching for meaning in life. I will be reading those books too.

gina - You had me at the first photo- love it!
I would never attempt to give up sugar, but I have been eating less candy since my anti anxiety medicine kicked in, I guess I don’t need soothing from chocolate sources as much anymore. 🙂

Jo - Hi Meg- I too have read A Long Way Gone and found it very moving/distressing/eye-opening/so much more/can’t find the words. Boys being forced to act in ways that most grown men would never consider. A must read! Enjoy

Sasha Farina - i’m gonna get those books.. thanks for sharing!

tasha roe - The video is fantastic!!
It hit home in a lot of ways – i’ve found a lump while weaning my daughter, a high school friend’s best friend found out 3 days ago she has stage 3 cancer, and of course….i feel like i’m still searching for my purpose.
thanks for posting it!!!
Love wins!!

Summer - I did listen, and cried. Such a lesson.

Brenna - I am here to serve with joy…too. Thanks for sharing.

Kristine - wow – i recently saw Half the Sky on oprah and suggested it to my book club. they didn’t bite and i’m number 305 on the waitlist at my library. i think that means i should just buy it. i hear it’s a MUST-read for everyone, especially women. and my hubby just read A Long Way Gone over Christmas. btw reading more books is on my “things to do before 32” list! good for you for reading too! these books will change your life i’m sure! xo

Georgia - I wish it was 10c here. Over the UK its -10 degrees at the moment!!! we have over 12 inches of snow. i feel like i have moved to Alaska! lol

Courtney Walsh - Waffle makes me want a dog.
And I really dont’ want a dog. But Waffle? He could bring out the doggie love.
It’s freezing here too…and I don’t go on night dates anymore. I only do day dates. Anything past 7 p.m. and I’m sure to fall asleep.
It’s 11:25 am and my day date starts in 5 minutes. Oh, and it’s freezing here too. Love that wrinkly-toed picture! 🙂

tara pollard pakosta - I want to read both of those books!
please let us know how they are!
what a cute picture of waffle = cutest dog ever! maybe
even cuter than my cockapoo, I thiNK!!!!
tara

Elizabeth - Long Way gone was sad and eye-opening for me. It’s easy to live your life, in your little world. . . far away from the other half of the world. This brings you closer and gives you perspective. Very powerful.
I haven’t read the other, but look forward to adding it to my list.
BTW, are you drinking your coffee black on your sugar-detox?

Angie N - Hi Meg – I am a fellow lurker among others…so hi!
I have read a long way gone…amazing. I balled. So be prepared.
Love the foot picture – I so wish I was camera talented.
Have a great weekend!!

sandy toe - Love the feet picture…so cute and fun!
sandy toe

feather - i just have to leave a comment on the sugar. (side note: i’ve been reading your blog for a few weeks now…love.it. but i’m intimidated to comment because the *number* of comments you recieve each post! now I’m LAME-O!)
anyway, back to the sugar. i’m with you. and it sucks. but i have found, in my many sugar detox experiences, that it does get better. once it’s out of your system, you don’t crave so much. just remember, once you start, you can’t stop! it’s so hard…

Nancy - I am a sugar addict… so hard to cut back or detox.. I really need to. Maybe we can start a support group or something like that. I made the Chocolate Sheet Cake from PW cookbook… oh my! But, wait. THat is sugary. BUt, when you NEED to make a cake.. make it. You won’t regret it. Our dog, Charlie, just got a haircut. He is such a hottie right now. Happy Weekend… Nancy

christine - hi meg
first of all
LOVE the feet photo!
great lighting!
listened to Rachel at 5 am yesterday as i drank my morning coffee
i cried and cried and cried
and absorbed so much from those 55 minutes
i too have kept that quote in my head and heart
“i am here to serve with joy!
i cannot imagine the strength it took her to not only be present that night but to be able to speak her words so beautifuuly and with such grace and humor
one of my dear friends passed away at the same age as Rachel from colon cancer
it will be 6 years this spring
i think of her every day but this time of year in particular because she started to get really sick
i’ll never forget the image of her sitting on her couch in pain and so nauseaus and leaning down to her 4 year old asking for a kiss
it is heart wrenching to think that children are left motherless/fatherless through the death of a parent
thoughts that are too painful to dwell on
i like to think my faith in Jesus is strong
i cannot imagine going through life without Him
listening to Rachel has given me the realization that i need to serve more
think of myself less
and do so with joy!

Lauren - Hi. I, like a few others who have commented, am not sure how I stumbled onto your blog to begin with but I am a faithful reader. Thank you for posting a link to Rachel’s story. I am a new-ish nurse curretly working on an oncology floor, and death has been a very hard thing for me to deal with. Listening to Rachel’s testimony tonight has helped me to look at it differently–even to find *joy* in it. Anyway, love your blog and your life is encouraging! Thanks 🙂

Mindy Harris - I want your bathroom. ever thought of renting it out to tired moms who might want to enjoy a bath? 😉 when i grow up, i’m getting a tub WITH JETS.

sarah - I listened to most of it, and the my silly internet didn’t want to cooperate.
So I need to go back and listen again.
Thanks for sharing about her 🙂
Wow. Just very inspirational.

anna - are you going on a compassion trip?! lucky you!

jami - I have read a long way gone. It is amazing, powerful and moving. I don’t read all that often but that book was a quick read because I could not put it down. Good luck with them both. I am going to look into the other book!

Seleta - Thank you for sharing Rachel’s video. As I type this comment with a lump in my throat and warm feelings in my heart, I am reminded of what matters most in life: a relationship with God. I need to work on that. A lot. Why is it so easy to get distracted from this key point in life?
I am happy to finish what’s been a rough week with a reminder so important. Thank you.

Staci - It is FREEZING here in OK too!!! And Waffle…well he’s got to be the cutest thing…no grooming needed! He just gets cuter and cuter with that hair 🙂 I am sooo not a reader….I only like to read magazines 🙁 I am definitely the Lame-O one here!!! I’d love to know about the books….might just have to give them a go! Good luck with the no sugar thing…I’m watching my sugar intake too…..I wish I was self disciplined enough to only eat one cookie…instead of ten!!! Ah well! Only one life to live 🙂 Bundle up and have a great weekend 😉

Becky @ Farmgirl Paints - I’m doing the no sweets thing too. I can’t even begin to think of eliminating breads and cereal etc… one thing at a time. I guess we are in it together;)
I listened to about 15 minutes of Rachel and then got interrupted and couldn’t restart where it stopped, so I’m going to have to make time to start it all over. It was really good though. Have a great weekend Meg!

Rebekah Brummel - I read A Long Way Gone and had HORRIBLE NIGHTMARES but it was eye opening. I have a 10 year old son & a 5 year old son we are adopting from Ethiopia and this book floored me thinking about children fighting. Oh, the little boy that cries for his mom as he dies. . . . it still HAUNTS me it does. (That didn’t give anything away I swear). But this book was one more thing that helped us decide to adopt. . . . .

Jenn Baker - I am a history teacher and I read “A long way Gone” last year… I LOVED it! We were also in the process of adopting a child from Sierra Leone— but then they shut the country down to adoption— so it was a must read for me! I hope you like it! What project are you doing the reading for?

candace - Yay for no sugar! Those books look incredibly intersting. I’m curious about this upcoming project.
Have you finished Crazy Love yet?

Darby - Meg:
You know you’re a blogger when your husband asks you if you’re going to take a picture of dinner!
Did you read PW’s cookbook LEFT to RIGHT instead of TOP to BOTTOM…it’ll get you every time.
Rachel totally ROCKS. Praise the Lord for her life and testimony!

jill - i can’t remember how i found you, but i love your blog 🙂
but-now i’m scared to try the meatloaf…what went wrong? i got her book for christmas and was thinking about making that soon.
and i heard of a project in march just today…if you are going i am excited to read about your time!

asibtroy - I’m new, came from the homies! Love your stuff!
Be prepared with LOTS of tissue and a couple nights of uncomfortable dreams after reading long way gone. It is an amazing story. That boy is a testament to the true human spirit – the ability to survive and forgive… but maybe never really forget.
I’m so excited to get half the sky, its on my list. Love the author and love how it is helping bring the idea of empowering women and girls to the forefront of our conversations about how to make the world a better place for everyone.
I’m also reading three cups of tea, as an educator its required reading lately.
These seem to be the hot ticket! Can’t wait to hear what you think!

carissa... brown eyed fox - i have been on… my kids have been on such a sugar binge the last month.
i sure could use a “dedoxification” too! 🙂
hmmmm
haven’t read those books… peaked my interest though.

rjost - Yo, Waffle!
The shaggy look is all the rage this winter. It’s good to have that natural coat when it’s time to play outside. With my black coat, the snow stands out bright and white. I love to bury my face in the snow.
Your sister,
Bella

Kara Tait - HI Meg.
I normally don’t comment on blogs, I just stalk them on a daily basis!! (lol) Love your blog BTW….
I just want to thank you for sharing the link to Rachels story. It was exactly what I needed to hear. I am going to listen again….. I might even buy the dvd.
I sent the link to many of my friends, hopefully one out of 20 will listen.
Thank you again. ~Kara

Alicia Butler - Meg: You don’t know me…I am a friend of Pam Buller’s. She had a link on her blog a while back to your blog and ever since I have checked your blog frequently to be encouraged and inspired by your creativity! Anyway, I decided to write tonight because one of my new year’s resolutions was also no sugar. And I basically have the same parameters as you have…no cookies, cake, candy, etc…It has been going well for me too! I always crave sugar in the afternoon and the evening more than other times of the day – not sure why? Maybe I need the “high” to give me energy.
Amazing how sweet fruit is beginning to taste. One of my treats is an orange in the evening.
Anyway, keep going. WE CAN DO IT!!!
grace and peace.

elizabeth - I have begun to listen — thanks for the link. And I’ve read both books, and I think they’re both extraordinary. I particularly liked the Nicholas Kristoff one and read his columns in the NY Times avidly. He’s a thoughtful reader and writer and really thinks outward and outside the box.
This was a sweet post —

A pocket full of posies... - Loved the Rachel link…Life changing or challenging- however you choose to look at it-
Waffle- good gravy that is one cute dog!
and NO SUGAR!- honey, I’ll keep you in my prayers! 🙂
Blessings!
Jill

kana - Sir Waffle looks so nice in his crown. Loving those wrinkled piggy toes. It is cold here in Tennessee as well! Hope you are doing great.

Abby - Thanks for the reminder to go and listen, I will do that tonight. I made PW’s meatballs last night – delicious – though I will double the recipe next time, my husband ate half the pan! I am trying one recipe a week from her book, good thing losing the baby weight wasn’t on my goal list!

Debra - I listened to Rachel too. Thanks for sharing it, I really need to learn to serve with joy big time. Good going on the sugar thing!

tara hawks - I have read “memoirs…” It is intense and eye-opening…and the other one was recommended to me literally an hour ago, so I am going to get it soon. I do work in Uganda with a program called Sewing Hope. Please look at our website. http://www.sewinghope.net I can tell you more if you are interested. Rachel’s talk was humbling, in a word.

Laurie - I listened to Rachel as well…and posted on facebook immediately. I’ve started listening again…it is amazing and challenging and encouraging and…well, thanks for sharing.

emily@remodelingthislife - I made PW meatloaf last week. Had never had meatloaf or made meatloaf. Hubby proclaimed it was fabulous. I did her potatoes but had another friend’s recipe from years ago exactly the same so I was used to how great they are.
Sorry about your canceled date night.
Would love to hear how you like the books.
I’m reading Three Cups Of Tea.

Lisa Liddell - I love waffle… he is just gorgeous. I want one!

Cassie - long way gone is amazing. 🙂
and guess what book arrived in MY mailbox today?!?!?
a project, huh?
🙂
excited to get started on the book!

julia - can’t wait to see waffle without his winter coat.
i’ve decided that you going without sugar is enough for me…i’m virtually going without sugar…in reality i had a really yummy, delicious, full calorie Coke today….i felt a little guilty after…

Kristi - Hi, I’m Kristi! This is my first time visiting your blog, and I’m totally in love. I can’t stop snooping around it, seriously!! Your house is amazing, the decor is just awesome. I love it all. You are good! Thanks for the inspiration, I will probably be back because I know I didn’t get it all in today!

Flower Patch Farmgirl - Great pic. 🙂 And I’ve heard a lot about Half the Sky. Can’t wait to see what you’re leading up to there…

Ashley Ann - Top picture…too wonderfully fun to look at. love it!

Pammy - I listened. I loved it so much I posted it on my blog. I may even order the dvd. Thank you for sharing her with us.

Holly - Ok I am gonna have to listen…I havent yet….I am a little jealous that you have the will power to not have sugar as I indulge in a bowl of Honey Smacks. I am cutting back on caffiene..not by choice I might add and it has been so hard! Oh and I am definately going to have to try the recipes. SOunds Yumy!

Sara @ It's Good to be Queen - i listened to it while i wrote christmas thank you’s yesterday. so good. i had to stop and cry my eyes out a couple of times. convicting. good. love the “i am here to serve with joy.”

Leah - I listend to it last night. Went through alot of kleenex. Alot of power in that 55 minutes! A good reminded of who God is.

Michelle - I’ve read A Long Way Gone – very powerful,moving book. Excellent read.

Katie - I’m not sure I’ve ever commented before, but when I found myself saying “I did that!” twice while reading this post I had to comment! I have read the Ishmael Beah book, I enjoyed it. I also made PW’s meatloaf and twice baked potatoes for dinner last week and I messed up the meatloaf too and it took me FOREVER to get dinner on the table. I froze the leftover potatoes and as PW says, they do freeze beautifully. (I omitted the green onion as she suggested.) Bravo to you on no sugar, keep up the good work!!

Susan - I’ll be interested to see what you think of Half the Sky. I bought it for both my mom and a friend for Christmas but have not read it myself. Saw the authors on Oprah and thought they were amazing!

Jackie - I love your blog – I was introduced to it through Jeanne. Lovely pictures and wonderful words to match! I’m off to listen to Rachel – I’ve had that on my list for days and really think now is the time and “I am here to serve with joy” really hit home with me today – I love it and I think some days our hearts are particularly open to hear/see ideas to embrace! Thank you!

Lacy Brauner - I went and listened. Posted on my Facebook. Texted my mother-in-law for her to read. And plan to tell my bff to listen. She is a wise one, wise for her young twenty-six years, its causing her to doubt beliefs she was raised with, and I never was. I think this will enlighten her, even if just a little..Thank you meg for posting it. And like you, i listened while I cleaned my kids playroom. I kept thinking’how does a four and one year old make such a huge mess?’ ‘why cant they just learn to clean it themselves?!’…then she said it, i am here to serve with joy. i too am making huge changes this year. One of them, you gave me..by posting that speech.Thank you again..(I dont have a blog, and wont in the near future, though Id LOVE to. I cant take more time away from my family then I already do with work, and everything else life throws at me;], but I do love yours and check it everyday)

Liz M - What project are you reading those two books for?
I am keenly interested….thanks

Share on FacebookTweet this PostPin Images to PinterestBack to Top

home girl

thanks for voting.
i won!!!
check it out right here.

thank you!!

Diana - Yippeeeeeeeeeeee! Way to go, Meg!! Of course, we all KNEW you would win!
Sorry haven’t commented lately. Been sick. Bleah. Ick.
I will catch up on comments soon… I see lots of cool posts you’ve done lately!
So so sooooooooooo happy you WON!!!
{does Daffy Duck impression, bouncing off walls and furniture}
Woo-hoo! Woo-hoo!
🙂

MrsLimestone - Just wanted to drop in and add my congratulations too! Very well deserved.

DreamGirlLisa - Woo hoo!! Congrats! so happy for you 🙂

Kellie Dugan - This just confirms why I have to tune in everyday. Great blog, I love it!

Jaimie - congrats!

Sandy - congratulations! you definately deserve it!!

Mindy - I made those PW potatoes this week too and they are awesome. I also made the sour cream pancakes — didn’t really like those and the chicken friend steak which was okay but we don’t usually eat fried foods. Good luck on the no sugar thing — I’d never make it!

Beth @ Dirty Laundry - Well deserved. I checked out the competition and all were nice, but I just love your blog and posts. Thanks so much for letting us into your life a little bit!

Toni Danielson - Congrats! So exciting!

Blanca - This is awesome! Congrats Meg!

elizabeth highsmith - Yipiee! I think you should get “a get out of no sugar resolution” for a day card and get to eat cake to celebrate!

Christy - Definitely well deserved! Congrats!

Jamie - Yay!!! Congrats!!!

tasha roe - you rock!

Georgia - Well done Meg!!!! woooo go you! 🙂

Holly - awesome! Congrats!

danyele @ a thorn among roses - a big fat WOOOOOO HOOOOOO!

princess lasertron - amazing amazing amazing! go you!

Adla - Congratulations.I love your blog, it exudes so much love,warmth and colour. Cheers to such excellent sharing , Happy 2010 , look forward to more of your postings 🙂

Helen - Way to go Meg! It’s nice to know that so many of us women have such supurb taste in blogland.
You really are the best! and my favorite.
God bless!

Shannon - Congratulations!

Debra - So glad you won. Congrats!

linda lou - congratulations….meg!! in your blog you are working for God and you are a blessing to him and so many others out there…so keep it up.
NOW about sugar i’m in the same boat but it’s ok to have ALITTLE sugar each day to keep you wits about you so go for it alittle goes along ways.
blessings,
linda lou
(amy’s mom

Cindy/ clickhappy - So glad you won! Congrats!

Laura Leigh - Yahoo! You’re such a deserving winner. Happy day!

Leah Moss - YAAAAAYYYYYYY! You totally deserve this! I’m blessed by your blog everytime I read it. Congrats!

julie - Oh my goodness! I just gasped! So happy.

Jennie Frake - Congrats! I love your blog!

Vera - Congrats!!!

Jen R - Congrats Meg!!!

Lauren - congrats!

paige - yay meg!!!
you are so deserving!!

Tonya - WAHOOO Meg!!! Conga-rats!

Kirsten - Of course you won. Of course I voted for you. Congratulations. I hope you know you so deserve it.

Jenn N - Congrats Meg – that’s awesome!

Jodi - Congrats! You definitely deserve it! Happy things in 2010!

Wendy - Of course you did! Yay! I’m so happy for you. You deserve it, girl. Really. Ü
Wendy xox

Heather Giustino - Woo-hoo!! I’m doing a Charlie Brown happy dance for you!

kbonikowsky - Congrats. I’m sure your insides are all warm and fluttery!

Summer - I love your blog! Good for you!

Julie K - Oh My Gosh! No Way! That’s so AWESOME Megan!! I know a celebrity. Pinch me. Ha ha!!! 🙂 You totally rock!

Simies - Congratulations!!!

mel - Congrats! I KNEW you would win! Your blog is one of my favorites! It makes me smile 🙂

AshleyR - Congrats Meg. You deserve it!

Micah - Of course you did! You totally rock!

alice - congratulations! you deserve the award!

Meredith - Well done, Meg. I hope the Craig and the kids throw you a big (sugar-free) party to celebrate. Meredith xo.

Angela - Congratulations!!!

eryn - woo hoo! Your blog is so inspiring to me. Your house is my happy place. When I want a pick me up, I come to your blog 🙂 You brighten up blogland!

Katie - Yay! Congrats! I’m so glad you won because I voted for you!

amy bell - oh yeah for you!!! so happy. i love your blog….

Sarah @ Clover Lane - Yeah!!!!!

Ashley - Awesome! Congrats!! You definitely deserved to win!

Rachel - Congrats. Well deserved. Lovely blog!

Jessica - Congratulations Megan!

kimmie - sweet!!!

Trasie - Congrats!!!!

Katie K - Fantastic! Your blog has put many a smile on my face on days when I’ve really needed it – thanks for letting us in on the ins and outs of your life. 🙂

Erica - NIIIIICE!! So, is the next thing a book signing?!?!?!?! 🙂

Meredith Salmon - Congrats, way to go!!! You deserved this.

Jennifer Dawn - Congrats!!!

Pat - Congratulations!! Well deserved ~

Erica - CONGRATS!!!! awesome!

Kelly - YAHOO!! I’m so glad you won! Do you get some sort of plaque to hang up here on your blog? Congratulations!

Melissa Gruber - congrats meg!

Anna - Congratulations – well deserved!!!

gigi - i only stumbled across you for the first time yesterday via the homie site because one of our local bloggers was nominated. you were clearly the best! i’m so excited that my favorite won! congrats!

Jill J - Yeah, Megan! I knew you would, yours was the best! You deserve this with all the work you put into your blog.

Magchunk - Yaaaaaay!!! I am so excited! I voted for you (granted, you’re the only kids-at-home-focused blog I read. But only cause you’re the best!
You totally deserve it! Congratulations!

Melissa S - Yay Meg!!!!! Ths is great!

Becky @ Farmgirl Paints - YIPPEE!!! Knew you would girlie:) So deserved!!

Willy - Congratulations!!!

Starsandclouds.wordpress.com - Well done! You deserve it, just started reading the blog and missed the vote due to traveling back from Germany to Italy!
I look forward to your blog popping up bold on my Google Reader!

Karen~ - That’s great, congratulations!!! BTW, thank you for sharing the video of Rachel Barkey…It was a tear-jerker but so inspirationl, thank you for sharing…I personally needed to hear that!
Karen~

Sara @ It's Good to be Queen - Yay! congratulations, you deserve it. 🙂

sarah - Congratulations Megan! You definitely deserved the win 🙂

Lindsay - Awesome! Congratulations!! I have to agree with Liz, your blog definitely brightens my day! 🙂

Liz M - Well deserved. I usually don’t participate in stuff like that but I voted for you.
You have NO IDEA how much I look forward to your blog….it is a lifeboat of sanity in the logjam of my life.

maria - Congrats Meg!!!

Share on FacebookTweet this PostPin Images to PinterestBack to Top

resolutions….like everybody else.

this year…i made some.
i don't know if i really have ever written down my resolutions (or goals or whatever we should call them).
i am not good at keeping them…like 99% of people.
but maybe since i wrote them out
and share them with all of you
i may feel more accountability than if i kept them in my head.

maybe.
hopefully.

my goals for 2010:

God
i haven't been giving Him my firsts…He's been getting the last of me.
the moments before i fall asleep or the passing prayer while driving or folding laundry.
not REAL time.
and i miss Him.  
and hate when i lazily wander away.
He wants me with Him.  
when i stop and spend time with Him…there is no other peace or contentment that compares.
 

Ex
it feels so good that first 30 minutes after a workout.
i wish i could remember that.
i wish you could get that feeling first and then do the workout…
but i guess that feeling is part of the reward.
  

it's hard to workout with kids at home.
but during my time that annie is at school i CAN do it.
so i will.


No
hello my name is meg and i am an internet addict.

i am only half kidding.
i could sit on the computer all day long but it has proven to not be beneficial.
can you believe it?
so…while annie is at school…i am going to keep my computer closed.

if i can't control myself i may have craig put parental controls on my computer
and not tell me the password!!
     

Create
this one shouldn't be that hard….right?
unless i just can't stop exercising and reading my bible or surfing the internet all day long.  :)

i have BIG plans for my shop in the next month so this is major.
but even if i didn't…it fuels my creative soul.
working with my hands is what makes me happy…makes me grow & feel…it fills me with joy.

i need it.
almost everyday.

SUG
this will be the hardest one.
i have made it 3.5 days now…it's been ok.
no huge fits of withdrawl yet.

on the second night we started julie & julia after i go the kids to bed.
it was 2 minutes into it…i started CRYING.  
i kept crying.
i turned to craig with huge tears down both my cheeks and said "i think it's the sugar!"

i have never…for even one day…in 34 years…not had sugar.
never.
i think i can do it though.
i NEED to do it.
i don't want to be a sugar addict anymore.

*****************************************************************************************************
there it is.
my list for the world to see.
pressure.
or freedom….whichever way you look at it.
i will keep it real and tell you where i mess up.
and i will tell you if i learn something awesome from these changes too.  
 

one more thing…
my friend jeanne sent me a link to beautiful speaker named Rachel Barkey.
i listened to her 55 minutes…and i cried.  
her words are powerful.
i strongly encourage you to listen.
i put it on as i cleaned the craft room…taking several kleenex breaks.
every mother can relate and grow and change and stretch herself from rachel's words.
she was a blessing to me.

thank you jeanne. 

Christina - Thanks for sharing your goals…they are inspiring. I am also a sugar addict, and I am just now realizing how serious it is. I have gained so much weight in the last year. Not enough that many people would notice, but enough that I cannot comfortably wear pants that are a little over a year old, and I have never had that problem (outgrowing pants that fast) (or ever…I’ve worn the same size pants for 12 years). It’s alarming. And I know it’s the sugar…I want something sweet every night, and feel like I can’t get by without soda. I hate it! And I’m saying this after I just ate a brownie, that I made tonight, because I had ganache left over from birthday celebrations last week. Grrr.
And congratulations on your win! That’s exciting. 🙂

Jodi - Great resolution list! These are all things we should all strive for! I love the internet addiction note. I have a post that has been drafted for a while with that exact same title. My husband makes fun of me and says I am truly am an addict because I am too afraid to admit it and publish the post! Maybe one day I will let everyone in on my secret! Thanks for the honesty and good luck with your resolutions.

Shannon - I am so enjoying your beautiful blog! Beautiful …as in an honest answer, beautiful…as in a reassuring smile, beautiful as in “cotton candy” (sorry for the sugar reminder!) Thanks for writing!

Melanie - My name is Melanie and I am an internet addict too! If you can stay off the computer while Annie is at school, KUDOS to you. I wouldn’t be able to do it. That would be the time that I would want to be on it because you could do it without interruptions:) The sugar thing is another thing that I couldn’t do. I have done it before but I have to say that I am turning 42 next month and I will just take it in smaller doses if I have to. Good luck with that one. LOL!

Courtney Walsh - Seriously. Your goals and mine are nearly identical. I like how you wrote them down. I need to write mine down. I had gotten so good at spending time with god. real time. good time.
And then something happened and I think I got kinda mad at him. I’ve never been mad at God. He’s so good to me.
But I think I was. Maybe still am.
Need to work through that…so I can spend good time again. Thanks for this post, meg.

Becca Sutton - It must me the moms’ mantra. More time with Jesus. More exercise. Less internet. No sugar. These have been my resolutions every year for the past– since motherhood became my core identity.
Your blog is delightful.

Amnah - Your resolutions are so much cuter than everyone else’s resolutions, lol.
You know, I’ve thought about the whole “no sugar” thing. It seems insane to me. I just couldn’t. It’s friggin’ sugar! I can go without salt but not without sugar. If it means anything I don’t eat processed sugars at all. Yay me.

Meg - Wow. I cannot believe how our resolutions are the same. And, my name is Meg also. I listened to Rachel a while back and cried my eyes out. The thought of not being around for my children saddens me so much…I can’t even talk about it.
I read somewhere either on Twitter or FB that we are not to make resolutions but RESOLVE TO SURRENDER TO GOD. I am not in control, He is. I pray every morning and ask God to help me make the right choices in regards to food. So far, its been working. I realize though that I have to put it all in His hands and to realize that He is for me, not against me.
Much Love,
Meg

Netta - What a beautiful blog… and the pics on your post… SO cute!
A friend sent me a link to your site & I’m happy that she did.
Giving Jesus your first will sure help the other things work, too.
Thanks for being honest.

aubrey - Hey I read an article that said that in studies, women who walked briskly 30 minutes a day, 6 days a week, burned the most fat. Maybe that’s all you have to do (it’s my favorite form of exercise–when I actually do it)–and take your camera for our benefit. 😉

Holly - those are great goals Meg…..except maybe that sugar one,lol…just kidding. I think you have goals that most anyone could benefit from! We definately all need to spend more time with God!

Chiot's Run - Great list! Good luck on the no sugar thing!!! We’ve switched to only all-natural sugars (honey, maple syrup, etc) in our home over the past couple years. I think that really helps. Mr Chiots is a sugar addict as well, it’s tough for him. I’m not a sweet eater so I don’t mind. This is a tough one for sure!!!!!
No computer – oh, I don’t know if I could do that. I need to put in a no flickr rule during work hours (since I work from home). HMM, perhaps I’ll contemplate this.

Victoria - I totally get the exercise thing! Why does everyone love it and how can I love it as well? I have yet to figure that one out.
I think that if you have Craig put parental controls on the computer then you will just sit and try to figure out the password for the time that Annie is in school. 🙂
That being said…I’m getting off the computer and going to spend time with my daughter! 😉 Thanks for the encouragement.

lissa - I watched that video from Jeanne also and I hope it changed my life forever! I LOVE LOVE this post! These things are vital! I’m not creative like you guys but I will try… I know when I do try something more artistic I feel more alive!

Dianna - I have never made a New Years resolution. I guess it’s one way of not ever breaking one.

DreamGirlLisa - You are so brave to post this. I want to, I really do, just not sure I’m ready. So afraid of being judged and of failure. I don’t know if I could go w/out sugar, I know I should, but oh, so hard!

Leah Moss - Great resolutions, and they’re exactly mine too! I think reading your blog will hold me accountable 🙂

TammyR - Thanks for sharing! I can relate to several of those. I struggle to put God first. I hope I can change that. I just ate some butter pecan ice cream, so I’m not so certain on the sugar! 🙂
Happy New Year!

jeanne - Congrats on the win!!! Secondly…I laughed out loud over the crying because it WAS the sugar. I swear it!!!! It will get better. I will send you some suggestions for good sugar substitutes. Don’t use splenda. Sorry for laughing…it WAS funny though:-) You can do it!!!!

Lorena - How funny, a lot are thinking the same! Well, we all give it a go and I hope especially the first one will be done because the rest is definitely less important after all! Thanks for sharing!

JerriR - Well Meg it seems that we share most of the same goals so here’s to both of us KEEPING them…this is our year! I, too, listened to Rachels message and even shared it with my husband and have thought daily while I am commuting about her four key points! I long to have that kind of faith!

Trena McNulty - okay…now I am absolutely certain we were seperated at birth!
You’re my new best friend….actually you have been for a while…I just haven’t told you! LOL!
Thanks for encouraging me in my walk with God…my parenting…my creativity…AND my warding off sugar! It’s been 6 days for me!
WE CAN DO IT!

Vicki - If only bananas tasted as good as a cupcake we would all be just fine! I will never forget watching an Oprah show where they were AGAIN talking about weight loss and diet and one woman said her trick was to munch on ice chips all day and THAT was why she was a tooth pick of a woman. The way she said it, so “well all you have to do really is just eat ice chips when you have a craving” was so hysterical, Oprah nearly lost it. You could tell she thought that was just about the most crazy and unrealistic advice she had every heard. Like Sesame street says, “it’s a sometimes food” so go ahead….just sometimes treat yourself to that cupcake!

Janine - Thank you for the link to Rachel’s talk. It was something I really needed to hear. Your resolutions are admirable. Mine is to be more positive. To see the glass half full. I was struggling with that today and hearing Rachel, well… you listened to her too so you know. Congrats on the homie awards.

Heather Giustino - Those are all great goals, and I am so with you on just about all of them! Best of luck to you!!

mel - Great goals & resolutions. They are very similar to mine (I posted them a few days ago) I am usually a BIG FAIL at resolutions (I was last year) I am going to try harder this year! And….good luck on the no sugar! How long are you doing that for? Every year I give up sugar for lent. It is SO hard for me, I am also a sugar addict!

Sara Cameli - You go girl! The sugar one will be hard…cold turkey is not easy. At least you haven’t said “No more drinking..” ha ha.

colleen - I’ve listened to Rachel often. As the mother of a child that had cancer I can so relate to her.
Good luck on the resolutions!
-Colleen 🙂

Sarah @ Clover Lane - you can do it all!

Bobbi Jo - Oh my, please share how it goes with no sugar. I need to cut back, WAY back, but I never thought to eliminate it completely. Could I even do that??

Michelle Whitlow - oh my gosh, your resolutions should be mine! Every.single.one.

Joanna @ The Casa - Hey! I’m doing no sugar, too. Ever again. No sugar ever again. I did it for a year. It’s possible. You’ll feel fantastic. I’ve been off now since December 28th. I’m doing it for life. Like a smoker or other addict. It’s not no carbs, just no sugar.
You can do it!

Jacci - No sugar, eh? I’ve done that for brief stints while we were sick to try to boost the ole immune system, but we’ve never done it for longer than a week or two. If you haven’t stumbled upon Stevia, yet – I’d highly recommend the KAL brand. We stir that into plain yogurt with a little vanilla and you’d never miss the sugar. Only caveat is, only use a **little** stevia. There’s a teensy scoop that comes with the botttle and I only use 4 of those weensy scoops for each *quart* of yogurt 🙂
Thanks for sharing the goals! And thanks so much for recommending the Crafty Crow. I’m inspired to try for more “just for the heck of it” craft time with my younger two.
Thanks! And congrats!!!
~Jacci in Ohio

Kara - Thank you so much for sharing the link to Rachel’s talk. That is one of the most graceful reflections of the gospel I have ever heard.

Willy - I am listening to Rachel right now … . I had no resolutions/goals, but now I have one. For the rest of my life. I’m going to talk to myself. Right now.
Thank you, Meg!

PaisleyJade - Great resolutions – I am so much the same as you with my time with God – thanks for being so honest.

Dina - I’m on my way over to Sugar Sisters right now for a cupcake and coffee … can I get you anything?
HeeHee 🙂

Dana D@BoysMyJoys - CONGRATULATIONS on your WIN in the homies!!!
WooHoo!!!

julia - we should start an S.A.A. group {Sugar Addicts Anonymous}

priscila - I think I would like every single thing you just said. I do need to spend more time with GOD! I miss him too.I havent given him my first at all…second, use my free time wisely while Christian is a preschool and NO SUGAR!!! thats the hardest. Im like a little ant!

Christy - Good luck on your resolutions!
Also congrats on your Homie award!!! That’s awesome!!

Lori - Thank you so much for posting the link to Rachel’s video. Wow, that’s a serious wake-up call!
And hooray for your public resolutions! I announced in our Christmas letter that I’m going to write a book this year. It was probably extremely foolish, but I figure that even if I fail I better be able to report that I gave it a serious effort!

Heather - De-lurking to say that I really love your goals, and your blog. I look forward to checking it daily. One of my goals for 2010 is to “lurk” less, so here I am! Thanks for being an always-enjoyable part of my Internet addiction. 🙂

Emily Zimmerman - Congratulations on your win!!! You deserved the Hommies Award!! Love your blog!!!

sarah - He’s been getting the lasts of me too. I suppose if I wrote down resolutions.. spending more time with Him would be on my list as well.
I’m listening to Rachel right now… I’ve already started crying just minutes into it.

Sara @ It's Good to be Queen - love these goals.
i share almost all of them….okay, not the sugar one b/c i think i’d get kicked outta the south if i quit my sweet tea.
i love the “create everyday.”
i want that…i don’t know how in the world to find time for it, but i crave it.

Lisa - You are awesome. No matter the outcome of the contest (you haven’t posted that yet, right?), YOU are the best blog I read. I am so inspired by this list. Your first resolution expresses my heart right now perfectly. Why is it so darn easy to slip away from Him the way we do? I’m reading “Crazy Love” right now and there is a chapter called “Serving Leftovers to a Holy God.” That has so been me lately and I hate it. Anyway, thanks for being real and putting yourself out there. I can relate to every item on your list!

Flower Patch Farmgirl - Goal setting – it’s never been prettier than on this here blog of yours! 🙂
No sugar – seriously? Like, none?? Wowza!
Your other goals were so relatable to me. Thanks for sharing!

Amanda Jo - Great list! I especially love how pretty you made it! Kudos on the no sugar thing – you’re a stronger woman than I am! Can’t wait to see what you do with the shop!!!!

Ruth - love your goals! i’ve started downloading a bible podcast to listen to on the train to work every day… they will read through it all in a year. i love it, such a good way to focus at the beginning of the day, and perfect for someone so bad at sitting down, reading and focusing like me!
i also need to eat less cheese.

carissa... brown eyed fox - “i haven’t been giving Him my firsts…He’s been getting the last of me.
the moments before i fall asleep or the passing prayer while driving or folding laundry.
not REAL time.
and i miss Him.
and hate when i lazily wander away.
He wants me with Him.
when i stop and spend time with Him…there is no other peace or contentment that compares.” ………….
straight out of my head! so true. i love your words. always have a way!
going to check out that link from jeanne today… with a BOX of kleenex.
thanks for the tip!
and i will say it again this morning… cause i thought it as i was reading your post…
you are just SO neat!

elizabeth highsmith - um the thought of you never eating sugar again makes me want to cry for you! please oh please oh please tell me it’s only temporary that you’ll eat sugar again, eventually at least in moderation.love a fellow sugar adict.

Alicia - I think my resolutions are about the same…hmmm…so far, so good!
I think the reason resolutions feel so good is they make us re-focus on ourselves…what we need in life. As moms, we tend to lose site of ourselves and focus on the other important people we care about.
Maybe another trip to Colorado will help!!! I would love for you to check out my blog…we had some snowman fun that was just too cute!! Kids are so great!

Kristine - thanks for sharing rachel’s story. i just finished listening and it was so powerful. it gave me some good things to think about and is in perfect timing with the new year and thinking about fine-tuning myself, my ways, my thoughts…
you had a post in the past where you wanted to say YES more to your kids and that tweaked my thinking to do the same. it was cool how she mentioned it here too. reminder of how selfish i am at times.
thank you again and best wishes for the new year! xo

immyyas - I am a complete computer addict! I so need to replace some of my computer time with workout time! Working out is soooo hard to do with little ones at home. If only there was a way to get the baby & the 2 toddlers to all cooperate at teh same time every day for at least a 1/2 hour. A girl can dream…

Rachel / cREaTe - SO COOL!!! and all me – especially about the exercise. that made me laugh. you know, this would make such a great book. your photos paired with your ideas, thoughts & words. i know you have a blog for that purpose, but … i would love to see it in a book form. i’m sure you need more on your plate, right? 🙂 ha ha can’t wait to see your shop!

Bridget - Oh resolutions. I did find a website about changing habits that may be helpful:
http://zenhabits.net/2009/09/the-habit-change-cheatsheet-29-ways-to-successfully-ingrain-a-behavior/

pambuller - ok. i’m inspired.
i went off sugar too but then i made brownies last night. it is going so well. 😉
you are so transparent. i love you!

Darby - Meg, Isn’t Rachel incredible? I saw her video last summer and haven’t and never will forget her words… what a blessing her life is!!! Thanks for spreading her message!!!

purejoy - ps
i’m like a crack addict around sugar.
this is going to be a suicide mission.
can i drink diet coke as a soother?

purejoy - since when do you blog about me??? lol seriously, i want to do every one of those. and they are so beautifully illustrated. i hope i can print them out to post on my office wall so i can stare at them all day (except for when i’m exercising).
seriously, kinda creepy how you crawled right into my brain.
i have some things i want to do in 2010 but my brain hurts just thinking about them. i think yours will do nicely.
thanks for the kick in my rather large butt.

LeAnn - Oh Meg….are we sisters separated at birth….LOL!! Spending more time with my Jesus, giving up sugar and exercising…that’s me to a tea. If you go back and read my last several posts you will see why I have finally found my long lost sister…LOL!!
Seriously…I am on day 3 of giving up sugar. We can do this. My husband is doing it too….he is thin but has a little bit of a sugar belly (addicted to Coca Cola). We can do this. Let’s help each other, let’s hold each other accountable.
Hugs,
LeAnn:)

christine - good luck meg
and thanks for sharing
in such a personal and humurous way!
you can do it

patricia - Good thing we have such a good role model like you.
Love your goals.
Thanks for making me remember to add more God and less sugar and less computer.
pve

Megan - You can do it… God will give you the strength…and we’ll encourage you along the way!
I’ve been a follower of your blog for a long time… this is my first comment!
Come over and visit…. I recently posted pics of our kitchen remodel!

Carrie - Best of luck to you.
I need to exercise as well. I keep complaining about not feeling fit. I start an exercise plan and quit after about 1 or 2 weeks. It bothers me that I do that to myself, especially when I notice the difference on days I do work out. Truth is, I would be ok with my weight if I knew I was in shape and healthy. I stopped obsessing over the scale because it’s just silly. However, I know I need to tone and get healthy.
You seem to always have crafty fun ideas on here, but if you need inspiration here is a site I recently stumbled upon. http://www.oneprettything.com/ It has fun ideas to create everyday.
You can do it! Good luck!

melissa baldwin - I did a chocolate fast last winter for 40 days. Sounds pathetic…..I know. But only someone addicted to chocolate or sugar can understand. When I got stressed I went to chocolate….just writing this sounds completely stupid…..so I’ll stop….he he.
btw, HOW do you put words on your blog pictures. I am a computer idiot and need help:)

Melissa - I love your goals Meg. I love to look at them too …you made them so pretty. You can do it!

Nancy - Great minds must think alike! 🙂 I have the same with Time with God and time away from the computer. I just get sucked in. I love your idea of the parental controls…. now you’re talking. I have found that if I get exercise as a habit and a first thing in the day habit, it works for me. I think I heard that if you do something for like 2 weeks in a row, it becomes a habit. Something like that…. good luck with all of them. Happy 2010!

Cori - I love your goals. I don’t think of myself as creative but you inspire me thank you. The sugar issue is also a problem. I love it more then anything- I never go a day without it either. (my 4 year old is always saying watcha eating mom?) The computer is also a problem- I love reading your blog but I know it should be a treat at the end of a productive day not to keep me from entering my kitchen or laundy room!! great ideas as always Meg- I’m signing off for now to have a big glass of water and wash a dish or two!!! have a great day!

Kyleigh - Good resolutions! I agree with you about the exercise… I work from home mondays and tuesdays so when the kids have gone off to school in the mornings I put on the ONLY workout dvd I have ever liked, I don’t know if you can get it from Amazon USA but the link is here:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Davina-Super-Body-Workout-DVD/dp/B001F3QJIS
She is a TV presenter over here (UK) and she makes me laugh, she’s so, well, NORMAL! I swear by it… its only a 40 minute workout, and the feeling afterwards is SO worth it!
My resolutions:
Start a ‘visual diary’ – printing out some of my fave photos I’ve taken at the end of every month, sticking in tickets, inspiration etc etc.
Past resolutions:
Learn the fiddle
Buy more hats
Buy more wigs
I like positive resolutions!
Good luck!

Kristine - i have exactly the same…goals :)no sugar is a toughy! i’m going to listen to Rach while i work around the house. thanks for the recommendation!

Share on FacebookTweet this PostPin Images to PinterestBack to Top

gingerbread and hot glue

IMG_0814
 
so yeah…i chickened out of the REAL gingerbread house.
and yeah…we didn't make our houses until december 30.

but WE DID IT.
and they really loved it.

i tried to build the tiny houses with grahm crackers and my royal icing but they wouldn't hold.
sean asked "can't we just hot glue it?"
i laughed "NO sean…we can't hot glue them…WAIT…we could HOT GLUE THEM!!!"
i told sean he was a genius.
(and he remembers)
it worked.
i told them to cover the glue with frosting so it didn't look too dorky.

you do what you gotta do to make it work….right?
it's not like we were going to eat them anyway.
 
IMG_0463
IMG_0503
i LOVE group projects that start with everyone having the same materials.
and every single one turns out very different.
each personality shows on their work.
 

IMG_0485

IMG_0481  IMG_0470

IMG_0495  IMG_0509

i was happy that scott joined in.  
if there is candy involved…he is usually close by.  
annie was on hour 21 of those princess jammies.  
i had asked her to get dressed at noon and she said "but i'm just so cozy!"  
true.

they turned out to be a very cute little gingerbread neighborhood.
there's a benefit to having five kids…your gingerbread houses make a whole block!   
IMG_0816
IMG_0823
annie covered her entire piece of cardboard with frosting and candy.
when she was finished she said "it looks like a gaw-den!"  she was right.
a beautiful candy garden.
 

IMG_0828
creative tree that talby made…her own idea completely.
and i loved the use of the swedish fish for a door!

Gg
IMG_0830
the happiest house on the block.    :)  

Tracy - We too do our gingerbread houses after Christmas. It started a few years ago when I forgot that we bought the stuff, ran of time and then decided to make them on the 26th…we have been doing the same thing every year since.

judi - Love it! We never made ours this year at all – so now I am buying Valentine’s day candy and going to make a cupid cottage instead. I had thought about using hot glue – glad to see it worked. Will do that for sure. Also, since it won’t be edible – I like the glitter idea!

Jill - Hey… I whipped out the hot glue gun for our gingerbread houses this year too! Then I decided that since we already ruined the houses with glue, we might as well sprinkle glitter all over them too, you know, for sparkly snow? It was lovely and non-edible. Buddy, our chocolate lab, ate them anyway. There is glittery poop in my backyard now. The joys of the holidays! :o)

Kristine - hot glue IS genius! frosting not holding is exactly why i cringe at gingerbread houses. NO MORE! winter 2010 will be my year!

house for sale Philippines - Lovely gingerbread houses. Yummy 🙂
You guys are really great.
Deirdre G

Angelica Bays - Cute! And that dude of yours is gonna be a high-payin’ engineer someday ;o)

Kelli - I LOVE that you used hot glue! We too made ours after Christmas and got so frustrated that the house wouldn’t stay together! Guess we will have to use hot glue net year! Thanks for the tip! 🙂

Jaime Melcher - Love your gingerbread village! My mom hosted a huge gingerbread house- decorating party last Christmas & we used the trusty hot glue gun, as well. Worked like a charm!
Wanted to send a quick thanks for posting your yummy family recipes… I live in Little Rock and Mr. Weatherman says to expect the coldest weather we’ve seen in 15 years over the next 4 days. Needless to say, I’m stocking up at the grocery store today and plan on making your tortilla soup, potato soup and chocolate chip cookie bars! 🙂 Thanks and Happy New Year!

alyssa - Okay, I was able to vote for you over at the homies. You probably don’t care, but I wanted to make sure you knew. You know, just in case you picked me!
I am definitely making individual gingerbread houses next year. Why didn’t I think of that. Now Kade can destroy his own house! I love it.

Mrs. - Okay, what do I know? But…I know that if you add a GENEROUS helping of cream of tartar to your store-bought icing it makes it very thick and sticky (but NOT tasty). Also, if you think in advance, you can snag some of those empty kiddie milk cartons from school. If you “glue” your graham crackers to that base, they hold up really well.
Even so, yours are lovely. I wish we had done that (maybe next year), and maybe, because I have only 2 children, we can make it into a party and invite some friends. Boyo, I sure do have a lot of plans already for next year!

aubrey - You pick good candy–those look so good. Like as in tasty good. (And decorated nicely 🙂 )

Diana - Mmmmmm, hot glue… now that’s a genious idea!
ADORABLE houses!! They have their mama’s creativity! 😉

Kelly - uh, i’m the girl who once hot glued something to dirt . . . yeah. hot glue on gingerbread, Sean is a genius!

amanda - hot glued 25 for my son’s 2nd grade christmas party at school, also glued them to the chinaette(spelling?) plate – the kids loved them and no slipping, etc…love your blog!

Jaime - Glue gun was a great idea… who’da thunk it?
Love the pics… feels like I’m there with you all!

Becca Parker - Nothing wrong with hot glue! It is a miracle epoxy!

the inadvertent farmer - ROFL…yet another reason I could not live without my glue gun! Kim

christi - hi meg! i so love your blog!! thanks for all the beautiful photos and great stories. you are an inspiration to me.

Heather Giustino - LOL! We always hot glued ours too!!! Love the gingerbread neighborhood – too cute!

Sara - Love it! Whatever works, right? Upon a recommendation we made some with whipped frosting from a can – it actually worked really well. We did use a piece of yarn around the perimeter for stability, but other than that it was 100% edible! Pics are here: http://sarasdailydetails.blogspot.com/2009/12/ive-been-looking-for-something-fun-and.html
BTW, I don’t comment much, but I love your blog and it’s been such a great source of inspriation for me!!
Happy New Year!

MOW - Glue gun=genius idea…
Growing up me, my sisters and all my cousins would collect the little milk cartons from school, rinse them out, take them home, slap frosting on those, and then graham crackers and decorate! Just another way to keep it all together!
I’m 23, and gingerbread houses is a family tradition that I look forward to the most at Christmas!

purejoy - mmmmm… looks like deliciously good fun!
i’ve never tackled a gingerbread house with my kids. maybe next year. (i’ll have to get the sedatives before hand)

meaghan - okay…A. having 5 kids makes hauling all that stuff out so much more worth it, and 2. i made your rainbow cake today for my son’s 2nd bday!! it tastes even better than it looks (if possible)!

Traci - i think i see lemonheads. my favorite!!

gina - We made these and just used canned frosting that I had put in the fridge over night- it makes it very thick!. We also braced the roof with little stacks of candy instead of another piece of “gingerbread”.

Kelsey - haha totally used hot glue on my gingerbread house this year too!!

Courtney Walsh - I have never made one of these…but the problems it that I am a total candy junkie!! I would’ve eaten all those Mike and Ikes long before they were glued down!

Staci - We didn’t do gingerbread houses this year ;( Looking at the fun you guys had….I’m sad I didn’t just suck it up and do it!! LOVE the idea of hot glue!!!!!! I think My Jake stayed in his pajamas the ENTIRE Christmas Break 🙂 LOVE IT!!! And now…it’s back to reality today! Happy New Year!

Sarah @ Clover Lane - Hot glue or not, your photos make them look deliciously edible!

Laura Phelps - my kids would have eaten them
glue and all

Trina - I am with you…. that icing is a pain in the butt…..and loved that you used graham crackers.. brilliant!
xx Happy New Year!
Trina

Jainatina - My family always uses hot glue to hold the houses together. It helps them withstand the holiday season. 🙂 We also use pampered chef gingerbread house molds… which turn out super heavy chunks of cookie so the only thing that can hold them together is hot glue. ^^ Tuns of fun.

Ryanne - I can’t believe you let your kids make crafts on such a pretty tablecloth.

Jennifer - We bought a prefabricated house and it still fell apart! I did everything they said, yet still, within about 20 minutes everything slid and the house became condemned. Thank God my husband is handy. He came home and drilled their house together-not sure how exactly, but it worked and Christmas was saved. You have to do what works, I agree. Your family looks so fun! We loved doing your pompom ornament craft. 🙂

Jenny - Brilliant! Loved it!

Vera - Those are some seriously awesome gingerbread houses!! Love all the color – they just make me happy looking at them!
My trick is to beat the royal icing (the real egg, cream of tartar, powdered sugar kind!) for like 5+ minutes until stiff, it’s glue-ier than glue that way.

shari - I LOVE the hot glue on the gingerbread houses… makes it a much more enjoyable experience for everyone involved!! We never eat them, so it’s no big deal. GREAT houses! I wish we had done them this year but we ran out of time. DEFINITELY next year!!!

H-Mama - They look perfect. We made ours after Christmas too. 😉 I’m going to have to remember hot glue for next year!! We never eat them either!

Kelly - This is always an after-Christmas project we do with my inlaws. They aren’t coming until this weekend 🙂 Your houses are adorable!

diane - we always made graham cracker houses growing up and I think most of the time they were hot glued. I am looking forward to starting this tradition with my little ones. Those are great photos!

Amanda Jo - Too cute! Kids are so creative!

Darlene - The icing never works – even though it seems like glue. You’ll be surprised to know I actually just bought a glue gun. Now I’ve got the power in me to glue anything that comes my way. Happy glue-ing!

Heather @ Cookie Mondays - Looks very similar to our gingerbread neighborhood 🙂 And my kids never got dressed the whole two weeks, so don’t feel bad!

Ashley - So fun! With only one child we sure didn’t have a whole block of houses!! And this is after the fact…but I melted sugar in a pan and then used that to connect the crackers…but it prob would have just been easier to use hot glue…not like you eat them!!! :0)

No.17CherryTreeLane - wait….is there something wrong with glue guns? because that’s how we roll…..

Rachel - So cute! It’s so neat how they are all so different.

Susan - Love the idea of hot glue! We never end up eating those things anyway…great job!

tasha roe - awesome idea! and no one would have known about the glue hidden under the frosting anyway. 😉 They do look yummy!

stodd - We use hot glue too! I did read somewhere last year that if you add a little bit of cream of tartar to your icing, it dries really hard and holds well. But, I like the glue better… the kids are kind of rough as they decorate. It’s one of their favorite things to do. In fact, we made haunted houses for Halloween and gingerbread for Christmas!

Becky @ Farmgirl Paints - I think we need to start a mom of the year award. You would rock that category I think with all the fun stuff you do with your kids. Adorable house:)

Karina - I should have used hot glue – we used icing instead and my waistline does NOT thank me!!! We (OK, a lot of it was just ME) ate the whole house – thank goodness I have “only” three children and wasn’t tempted to eat a whole block’s-worth!!!

Scrappy Girl - That tree is fabulous! So creative! We have never made houses…it’s on the list for next year!

julia - we had major structural problems with our gingerbread house. it only lasted 24 hours before the roof caved in. i should have called the insurance company and blamed it on a hurricane and collected money to fix the roof and then turn around and use the money to buy a new gingerbread car. it’s a florida thing.

Ashley Ann - He is a genius…wish I had thought of that one!

feather - well, you aren’t the first mom to use hot glue on gingerbread houses. seriously, i think our culture should do away with houses and go to gingerbread piramids. the egyptians had it right. just lean everything into on nice little point on the top. why are we trying to fight gravity?

Amy C. - I starting doing the “real deal” gingerbread house about 3 years ago. I checked out a book called Gingerbread Houses:building and making memories by Nonnie Cargas. Recipes
for the house work great.
We made a train last year and a tree this year.
What I’ve learned is make the dough and icing 2 days before you need it. Cut and roll out the house the next day. Let it sit overnight to firm up. Decorate it the next day.
I store royal icing in mason jars. It keeps it from drying out until you are rady to use it.
It is too crazy for me and a very long day to try to do it all at once. More enjoyable to break up the steps for me and the kids.
The hot glue cracks me up.

Nancy - You bet, I used my glue gun,too … best secret in town! It will keep us sane and that is a good thing.

Andrea - We used the caramelized sugar for the first time and thought it was revolutionary! But, since everyone only picks off the candy and never eats the graham cracker part, hot glue is brilliant!

Amber - hahahahaha. hot glue! we should have done that. our gingerbread house looked like a smeary mess! But my daughter’s hands were covered in goodies and she sure like that. 😉

Holly - ok I love that you hot glued them! How funny! You gotta do what works,lol!

Joanna @ The Casa - Great houses! I love how she is standing on the chair. I remember being that into a project when I was little.

Jenn Grigoryev - i tried to use caramelized sugar on my gingerbread house, only to realize that 20 minutes of whisking and burnt fingers produced something that looked EXACTLY like hot glue. so i busted out the glue gun and finished up and boy was i WAY happier. my husband claims it’s cheating, but it’s not like anyone was going to eat month-old gingerbread anyway, right?

PaisleyJade - Those are just so cool!!! Never made a gingerbread house but you have inspired me (and also made me open to the idea of a hot glue gun and trying to make one well after Dec 25th!)

rachel - HAHAHA love this post – the kids have made a lovely job and who wouldn”t want to live in a block like that 😀

your cool friend Cheryl - If you look closely at the pics of our gingerbread houses, you’ll see I totally used my glue gun, too!
We’ll never eat anything that’s been so man handled by a 3 yr old and anyway, I don’t trust that icing one bit…

Share on FacebookTweet this PostPin Images to PinterestBack to Top

first post of the year!

we enjoyed january 1, 2010 by sharing a candle lit dinner with our kids.
Candles
we even ate in the actual dining room.
with the christmas plates and glasses.
sean set the table with a tablecloth and got to light the candles…by himself!
(that is pretty exciting stuff if you are 9)

 
Card
talby made place cards and made the seating arrangement. 
everyone was in charge of making one dish each…whatever they wanted.
(craig and i helped them)
 
Sean
the good kind.
velveeta brand…nothing but the best for a fancy dinner.

Scott
we made these on new years eve so made another batch last night too.
ALL fancy dinners have hot wings. (pioneer woman recipe)

Potatoes
since she was in charge there was no cheese on top…because she doesn't like melted cheese.
she likes cheese…but not when it melts…except on pizza…that melted cheese is ok. 

Me
i had to push the fruit. 
our kids would eat starch and sugar 24 -7
 if we let them.
(and so would i)

IMG_0772
everyone was cooking at once.
annie chose PANCAKES as her dish.
craig helped her make 6 chocolate chip pancakes….mmmm.  

Milk
the kind from the store…in the milk section.
TREAT!
 

Frog
Cheers
fancy dinners also have napkins bibs…and tiaras.

Eat
and you know what?
there were no spills.
no fights.
no mean words.
and no crying.

it was a LOVELY meal.
i am sure this is a tradition we keep.  

(ps: lauren wanted NOTHING to do with us.  she took a plate of food & ate alone in her room by choice)

*************************************************************************************************************************

i finally made some blog post categories!
i have gone through all of 2009 posts and assigned them categories.
and i will go back through rest soon.
   
now when you need a waffle fix you can click on "WAFFLE the wonder dog" & see all the pics of him!
at least all the pics of him in 2009.
so if you are new here…go have fun clicking through the categories.

Rachel / cREaTe - that is HYSTERICAL. 1st photo & text, i thought this was indeed a big fancy, formal event. then as the menu played out my smile just got bigger. hilarious. your kids will remember that forever. 🙂 so fun to let kids be kids and run the show once in awhile.

Diana - I would have helped Talby with those mashed taters! They look scrumptious! {I don’t like cheese melted on anything but pizza either… well, maybe on cheeseburgers, too.}
LOVELY family, LOVELY meal… such LOVE!
Happy New Year to all of you!

the inadvertent farmer - Raising my glass of chocolate rice milk in your direction…cheers! Have a happy, healthy, and blessed new year, Kim

Logan - You are a fun mom. I know it isn’t perfection all the time, but you are creating wonderful memories for your kids and I love reading about your adventures and seeing the pictures. Thanks for sharing your life with us!

Laura Phelps - we got a hamster and a case of beer on New Years Day.
hmmm….
I am feeling like I have fallen a little short here…

Amanda Garrett - Your family is too cute. I always enjoy reading your blog. Happy New Year!

Amy - What a great idea! So cute! 🙂

Vicki - How wonderful to live in a house where the hum in the background is filled with laughter, happy busy chatter (okay, maybe a fight or two now and then, and memory making. You gotta feel the love, just gots too. Even if your not sitting at the table but up in your room, you still feel it. That’s the stuff that you take with you when you leave home and go out into the world on your own. When you start a family of your own and some how automatically know what it means to be a family. It’s cause your mom did stuff like this.
I think we started a tradition at our house too this year. We have little ones so we did a brunch for New Years day with family and friends. It was so much better than staying up late with little kiddos and having them be grumpy all day. Think we’ll do it next year. Happy New Year!

Jenn Grigoryev - i can’t wait till my three boys are big enough to try this idea out. what a fun mom you are.

amy jupin - this looks fun!
too bad lauren didn’t want to join y’all…one day that too will change! 🙂
happy happy new year, my friend!

jessica - Oops! Typo. You make my day with “your posts”…..not no posts. You are the best! Thanks for inspiration and smiles!!
Jessica, Alabama

jessica - Can’t stand it anymore. Had to comment! I have been a long-time blog stalker. I just love it!!! You made my day with no posts and always make me smile. After reading this post I had to tell you…..you are seriously the best mommy on the planet. I cannot believe you balance five kiddos so well, and you are just a spring chicken yourself. Kuddos to you, your beautiful family, and all of your fabulous ideas. Cheers and Happy New Year!!!
-Jessica, Alabama

WizzyTheStick - I tried family dinner on my birthday. The results was sad or hilarious, depends on if you are a cup half full or half empty kinda person. From reading this post I’m guessing you fall into the former category. Great share. Loved this peek into your family life.

aubrey - You have such a lot of really good ideas and I really like this one. When my kid are big enough to do their own cooking, I think I’ll try this one. Maybe by then we’ll have a dining room too. 😉
Oh, and I feel like a jerk that I didn’t buy chocolate milk for any meals over the holidays–I’ll have to remember to do that next year. It’s so nice when the little ones are so easily satisfied. 😉
I have to say (even though I haven’t had teenagers yet, but stil remember being one)–it’s kind of cool that you let Lauren have her space and exercise her independence (within reason it looks like). My parents didn’t let me and I resented it sometimes, but I came around anyway. I think you’re doing a really really good job as a mom.

Liesl - How fun! Meg, what are your christmas dishes. They look so fun!! I am looking for holiday/winter tableware . . .
Thanks – I enjoy your posts and your creativity. Happy New year!!

Sarah @ Clover Lane - That fruit salad looks SO good…the other stuff looks good because for once a mother knows it will ALL be eaten! Everyone’s happy, yeah!!!!

Julie - now, THIS is why i love your blog. Incredible family. incredible inspiration. happy new year!

DreamGirlLisa - Love it! Carbs rule!!!!
Lauren will come back to you, teenage years are a challenge, but fun too.

gina - Looks like a great tradition to start! My 15 yo calls most things we do, that she joins “Triple F”. >sigh<

Dena Rooney-Berg (sugarshop) - What a seriously fun dinner!!! Thanks for linking to my Pineapple Vodka post! Not only did it lead me to your site (LOVE it) but it’s been fun to meet some of your readers as well! Can’t wait to see how your Pineapple Vodka turned out and to see if it was a hit. XOXO

julia - in a few years Lauren will say “why aren’t I in any of the pictures???”

Christina - This is so great! I LOVE your fancy dinner. What a fantastic idea…everyone looks like they had such a good time.
When you said the kids would eat sugar/starch 24/7, but so would you I chuckled…the apples never fall far from the tree. It’s true here, too. My youngest has a new play kitchen from Christmas, and she has been cooking these last few days. I think she’s made chicken once (which she doesn’t really eat), and the rest of her creations have been chocolate. 🙂

Dianne Avery - Looks like a perfect evening! Fun pics as usual. 🙂

Kelly - Such fun! I love y’all’s definition of a fancy dinner! I am excited to have fancy dinners with my kids one day! Right now I can tell the baby likes to eat because he/she usually kicks during dinner. 🙂 Kelly

Karen - What a great Mom you are! My two cents says ‘make’ her participate. We had the same troubles w/ our oldest. At one point I mustered everything I had not to push him out of the car on a vacation, but to hear him tell it now, it was THE BEST vacation! Unreal! (Was he on the same vacation with us??? He made it MISERABLE from beginning to end!) Kids. Go figure.

renee cauley - What a great night… Don’t worry bout Lauren, kids do the funniest things…. Mine are all grown now and they want to hang out with us and go on vacations with us… strange… its all good. I just love your blog…Have a happpy 2010

Mrs. - Sorry about Lauren. My oldest is 12 and I am really, REALLY having a hard time LIKING her. I can’t believe that we shared the same food, air and blood for 9 months. She seems so disconnected from me. I imagine soon she will want to eat alone like Lauren as well. *sigh!*

Lorilee - How fun to cook together. I usually cook alone! Sometimes my sweety will help, but the boys run and hide! I’m not sure where I went wrong!
Blessings,
Lorilee

Erin V. - What a great idea! I love the fun stuff you come up with to do with your kids!

Flower Patch Farmgirl - Aw man…I wondered about Lauren. Thought for sure her dish would be something really cool – like sushi or something olivey.
Sounds like good ol’ messy fun! And the menu is to die for.

Christian@Modobject at Home - “…there was no cheese on top…because she doesn’t like melted cheese.
she likes cheese…but not when it melts…except on pizza…that melted cheese is ok.”
My seven year old son’s sentiments EXACTLY.

Lori - Great family time idea. And aren’t teenagers just the best?! If it’s any consolation, our teen daughter was exactly the same. But as she turned 18 and nears the time to go to college, she seems to enjoy some of our family times more than she used to.
Thanks for all of your real, sometimes funny and sometimes touching posts. The present you opened from your parents made me cry too.

Rach - What a fun tradition! Great to get everyone working together.

Vera - This is SO much better than black eyed peas and ham hocks and greens ha! Sounds like a great, fun, and yummy tradition!!

Sue K. - HaPpY NeW yEaR!1! Wow. What a great tradition! I love it…gonna copy this one for sure! So Im wondering, who helped with the cleanup?? That is the worst part by far for me 😛
Blessings to you and your family in 2010.

Shari Barnes - Is that a Jenn Air gas cooktop in the island? We have one and it looks very similiar – LOVE it! 🙂 Looks like a geat meal!!!

jeanne - I love all the sweet things that your family does together!!! I truly believe that someday your “children will rise up and call you blessed”.

Melanie - You are a great mom, Meg! You are the fun mom and your kids will remember these things that you do for them. Sorry about Lauren:( I just don’t know what to say about that. I have a 15 yr. old son and I haven’t had the ‘teen’ thing happen. I know that I am lucky and I wish that for you.

Heather Giustino - How fun!!! Everything you guys made sounds so yummy (especially the Velveeta mac ‘n cheese – my “yucky” treat!) We had a fancy dinner too, and even drank sparkling cider out of champagne glasses : )
Happy New Year to you and your sweet family!

Kate - That all looks lovely!
Eeek, teenagers are vile creatures! heh heh

Tanya - Adorable! Great first post of the year!

Naomi - I don’t comment often, but read ALWAYS. What a FUN tradition. Can we borrow and copy it?
Still making that rainbow cake you posted about eons ago!

immyyas - This was really sweet. What a fun idea & a great way to include each kiddo. I might have to steal this idea… : )

H-Mama - you’re such a fun mom. 😉

Mindy - This is so much fun! I am stealing it for our fam! My kids are little though so it might be hard for them to help a lot but at least they could each choose. Don’t worry about Lauren, I was the same way when I was her age and I turned out okay … just takes a while sometimes. You are a great mom!

stef - the chocolate milk part made me LOL. My kids would love fancy dinners at your place 🙂
Happy New Year!

mary - awesome!
and don’t worry a bit about lauren
i remember how i was at that age
and my sister, my cousins, my friends, etc
chocolate milk rocks…and annie is a good pancake chooser(tell her i said that she will giggle)

sandy toe - Sounds perfect.
sandy toe

se7en - Lovely tradition – Oh keep it up!!!

Tiffany Morris - How fun is this! You guys do some really cool things… thanks for sharing ideas with all of us!
Hugs – Tiffany

Keri R. - I am just like Talby! I love cheese but not when its melted! Unless of course on Pizza!!! Happy New Year!

Pineapple Princess - I love how you celebrate! So fun! 🙂
Happy New Year to you and your awesome family!!

Kimberly - What a wonderful idea!!! Happy New Year!
Kimberly
http://yeptheyareallmine.blogspot.com/

Kelly - What fun! And too bad Lauren missed out! It looks like a great time! I love traditions like this! We have a similar one on New Year’s Eve 🙂
And I agree on the chocolate milk from the store. My boys go crazy when we have that stuff in the house! I actually almost got it for our New Year’s Eve bash but opted for orange pop in bottles which was a big hit too. 🙂 Happy New Year!

Courtney Walsh - Seriously agree about the chocolate milk from the store in the fridge section. What is it about that stuff? It’s like dessert. Yum.
I love your fancy dinner. 🙂 Good stuff, Meg!

Jacci - Great fun 🙂 Sorry Lauren was a stinker.
Categories are also great fun! Thanks!!! And Happy New Year 🙂
~Jacci in Ohio

Georgia - Happy new year!
I LOVE the fancy dinner idea, its brilliant!!!
Im the same as Talby, melted cheese is Yukky except on pizza, or Pasta is ok. 🙂 🙂
xxx

Sarah @ Dream In Domestic - Happy New Year, Meg!!! What a beautiful meal with your beautiful family! Thanks for the categories. I’m not new, but I like to go back from time to time to find things, so that will be very helpful!

sarah - So fun!! I love that everyone made a dish, and the chocolate milk in pretty christmas glasses.
I love that Annie made pancakes… since that’s what they chose to eat, when we had enchiladas, when I was her age… or maybe just a few years ago, I probably would have chosen pancakes too!

Dina - What a great New Year tradition! My kids are 5, 3, and 1 and always WANT to help cook … but really I must draw the line:-) … I guess I need to step back and just enjoy the fact that they WANT to take part in meal preparation:-)
Happy New Year!!!!

Nicole Q. - love the idea of the kids each making a dish. good idea . i also bawled at your xmas gift from your dad . . . what a neat gift and so much meaning!!! Happy New Year!

diane - I love this idea!
I totally get Talby and her cheese preferences.
I don’t like cheese but I love queso. My husband likes to point out that what I am really saying is, I don’t like cheese, but I love cheese.
At almost 31, I am starting to branch out though. Maybe in this next decade I can simply say, I like cheese.
Happy New Year!

Holly - That sounds like fun! We actually started off 2010 by having cresent chicken and the kids LOVED it!
Happy New Year to you and your family!

carissa... brown eyed fox - i love it! we have got to get on the kids making a dish thing… seen yall do that before too… i just love that!
now…
raising my coffee mug right now… wait… hold on… okay…
{cheers}
here’s to an awesome year!
and meg… i have to say…
thanks for being such a big inspiration in my life in 09.
you make me laugh… hard.
you make me cry… just yesterday.
you make me want to dance… even if i look like a fool.
thanks girl! big hugs… buckets of blessings!

Becky @ Farmgirl Paints - LOVE IT! What a wonderful way to bring in the New Year. I love everyone in the kitchen making their favorite dish. Great pics of all of you. Just warms my heart:)
Oh and your daughter being a teenager…that just kills me. I swear when my kids get to that stage I’m gonna need a pill or something to help me get through it:0

michelle - so fun Meg! what a great idea and a wonderful memory created. we might have to try it. i think it would be interesting just to see what it would be that my kids would chose as their dish. hmmmm? too bad about Lauren. sadly, i would have probably been just like her. always bucking the system i was. she’ll come around.
happy new year my dear friend!
xoxo

Staci - What a FUN night!!!!!!! I am soooo glad there was no fighting!!! I wish your dear sweet family the Happiest of New Years!!!!!!!!!!!!

Share on FacebookTweet this PostPin Images to PinterestBack to Top

christmas recap part 5…final.

after the wedding we made it to my parents.
their street was plowed only 20 minutes before we got there.

my sister and her family came in the morning.
our kids were anxious for present time.
really anxious!
IMG_0264  IMG_0266
  
maya wanted gator golf so bad.  she was so excited when she opened it.  
sean got night vision goggles….sweeeeet.  (hand-me-down shirt…by the way)
 
IMG_0274  IMG_0299
  
talby got the fancy nancy doll but was worried the big kids were going to tease her…she loves it.
annie opened the backpack and shouted "A BACKPACK!!! for when i go to KINDERGARTEN! YAAAAYYYY!"
(is she trying to break my heart?!)
 
IMG_0281  IMG_0394

new toy for lorel.
IMG_0390  IMG_0283
new toy for craig.

IMG_0307
my sister got me that cute hat so i put it on right away.  
talby was showing me her new doll clothes.
i woke up that morning with something in my eye so i have no make-up on…
(i am just sure you were wondering!!)

i told you last year that my dad usually gives me & my sister a b&w photo
from when
 we were kids that he took.
so i could feel this was that gift through the wrapping paper.
i opened it and it was something i wrote when i was little.
this was total surprise.

as i read the first line i assumed it was going to be all things i
didn't do so it would be funny.
IMG_0366
then i read the last line and i BURST into tears.

IMG_0308
IMG_0309
so now i look even crazier.
oh well.
it was really special.  
thanks mom and dad.  
see….i AM an accomplished woman! (i'm trying to convince myself still on a daily basis)
i am doing what i always dreamed of.
 
i think i was 2nd or 3rd grade when i wrote that….that is how old talby and sean are now. 
such a special gift.

IMG_0313  IMG_0459
 
craig helped maya open gator golf right away.
macy didn't make it into any of my shots…or scott?
he got a reggie bush jersey and was THRILLED.
 
IMG_0302
IMG_0319
my sister made my mom that R covered in colored pencils.  
i think my mom is pretending to be sharpening all those pencils.  
i told my sister that i started making one of those for her once but i quit
before i finished because it took so long sha
rpening!

i love that R.

after gifts we had a yummy lunch of ham, turkey and potatoes…mmmmm.
then we sent the kids out to play in the snow.
IMG_0323
IMG_0325
IMG_0329
IMG_0330  IMG_0331

IMG_0338

it ended in screaming tears from sean and tons of wet clothing.
that's the annoying part about snow.

IMG_0349
some UNO and Old Maid before we all packed up to go home.
 
IMG_0352

we made it home around 10 PM and our christmas celebrations were over for 2009.
it was a good one.

happy new year.           

Gwyn Rosser - Just found your blog today through Flea Market Style magazine. Soooo, I’ve been reading your older posts and totally enjoying every one of them! I keep wanting to comment but don’t want to stop reading long enough to do so. However….THIS one really got me. I burst into tears too when I read about the sweet gift from your Dad. God is so good to give us “the desires of our heart”. I too have been blessed to live out my dream — all I ever wanetd to “be” was a wife and mother. Now, here I am, just turned 58 on Weds. and I still am having a blast, living my dreams. God is so Good!
Praying that your trip to Africa is everything the LORD desires it to be. Blessings on all of you. We have several friends serving in various places in Africa, and more friends are moving there. Our church takes mission trips there a couple times a year and every time they return, someone else has been called to live there full time. I tell ya, if my friends keep moving to Africa — I’m gonna be “forced” to go there just to visit 🙂 Blessings,
Gwyn Rosser @ The Pink Tractor
http://www.gwynrosser.blogspot.com

Danielle - Just found your blog today. I must say the gift your mom and dad gave you is the coolest thing ever. I can totally see why you burst into tears, just reading it made me!

Wendy - Meg, I have not been by in forever. I’ve been immersed in setting up my photo biz. I missed it here.
What a sweet gift your parents gave you! I love sentimental gifts so much. My mom made us three girls (tatertotsandjello is my sister) quilts made from my dad’s old fleece sweatshirts and sweatpants. She has kept them for 5 years since he passed away with the intention of finishing these beautiful quilts. I just love mine. It’s the best Christmas gift I have ever been given, I think. I need to post pics on my blog.
Anyway, I shall be back more often.

Diana - Oh, Meg, you dear, sweet girl….
One of my favorite shows was “Little House on the Prairie” and in one episode Ma speaks to Laura about a wife and mother being all things… teacher, nurse, etc. And, personally, I believe that no matter what, we mothers have the best “job” that God could have ever entrusted us with.
And honey, just wait… it gets better. Wait ’til you are a grandma. 😉
P. S. You do not need that makeup {I would never have guessed}… you are LOVELY as you are!

Kanefamilyties.blogspot.com - Tears on this end – so special!
Kari

Ann - My mother in law gave me a Santa drawing my husband did when he was 8 – especially touching since my oldest son turned 8 in December. I think I had the same reaction you did. I love your blog.

Sew Create It - Jane - Hang on while I get a tissue…that gift from your parents is so touching! You just can’t make that stuff up…just beautiful…thanks for sharing!

teri - Incredible gift! Your parents are something special for keeping that all these years for you!
And this reminds me to save all the special things my children write.
Thank you so much for your lovely blog and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Allison - That was such a wonderful post!! It’s always the simple things that make Christmas such a special day.
Is there any way you can post how to make the color pencil “R”? I love that!

aimy - amazing gift from your dad. i, too, cried. the “R” is sweet. i collect “Y”s and this gives me an idea for a homemade one. loved it! also… those peppermint sticks are THE BEST. wal-mart special? bobs peppermints… made in mexico… hmmm…. but yum!

Sandy - It made me cry too. Thanks for sharing your holidays with us. I also love the candle lit dinner that the kids helped with. I wish my kids were young again so I could steal some of your ideas, but my oldest is 20 and my youngest is Lauren’s age…enough said. 🙂

design wanna-be - I love the colored pencil “R”! -oh, and the framed letter was also sweet 🙂

rhonda - thanks for making ME burst into tears over the gift from your parents!
adn i love the R!

Janet Biernacki - Last year for Christmas I gave our 3 kids framed letters. They were written to them from their paternal grandpa. Originally they got them in 1991 in response to get-well letters they had written to him. He died in Jan. 1992 from cancer. When I re-discovered them tucked away in my desk..I knew I wanted them to have them now, but how to keep them safe? (our kids are in their 20’s and still fairly mobile in life style). So along w/a photo of them w/grandpa Dave, they got their own letter in a frame large enough to not get lost in various moves.
Yes,there were tears from all of us, but that’s okay. It was a very tender time.
3 cheers to your dad for his gifts to you.

Kristine - 1. my mom made me a scrapbook for my 30th birthday and included some of my writing from my youth. i wrote in an essay similar to yours that i wanted to have a boy and a girl and name them either Dennis and Denise or Tiffany and Toby. and i wanted to be a teacher so i could boss kids around. anytime someone needs a good laugh we recall some of those embarassing notes. my my…
2. any chance your sister wants to take some orders for that amazing pencil letter?!?! when i saw the pic i thought surely it was made by you. your family is so crafty!

Andrea - Your present just made ME cry.

Donna - I love the gift from your dad! Those are the best gifts!!!

traci - oh meg. that gift from your dad is just precious. how thoughful. looks like you guys had a great christmas. love all the photos. happy new year!!

Karin Katherine - What a fantastic gift from your father!
I want to do that for my kids one day!

Christy - That letter from when you were a kid totally made me bawl! Even before I read you cried (which is another sure sign I will cry – when someone else does). *lol* That was so touching! I think in a matter of speaking you have accomplished everyone one of those things in your role as a Mother & I definitely think you are an Artist! Love that it is a part of your parent’s tradition to give you gifts like that.
PS. That R is awesome too!

Nina - that’s such a special gift from your mom and dad…very sweet. You’re an awesome person!

luci - You made me cry too. A very special Christmas gift indeed. Best wishes for joy, peace, and prosperity in 2010!

Kasey - What a thoughtful gift from your dad! It made me cry too. : )

jeanne - I am laughing from Kana’s comment!!! So funny. I love what your dad gave you and your reaction. On days that are hard I really try to remind myself…stop…remember….you have everything you EVER dreamed of. Doesn’t perspective change everything?? I love who you are!

Kae - Happy New Year!! I love what your dad gave you! Your reaction is priceless. Thanks for sharing that. hehe Best wishes to your family this year & thanks for your fun blog!!

kana - I am just LOVING that crying photo of you….doesn’t that tender heart make you mad!!! Happy New YR to you and congrats on the blog finals!

Sarah @ Clover Lane - You made ME cry with that one! Isn’t that SO cool? You hang that right on your kitchen wall where you can see it everyday…all the days of total chaos when you need to remind yourself that you are doing your life’s work.

the wild raspberry - you have such a good heart meg.
happy new year to you and your family~
chasity

Dina - What an amazing gift. My aunt gave me my grandmother’s recipe box this year and I can’t even describe (well, you know how I felt…:-) …) that special special feeling to be so blessed as to not only receive such a special gift but the fact that my aunt gave that little box to me…ME. It truly is the thought that counts. The fact that your dad saved that paper all these years and seemed to know the perfect year to give it to you:-) Makes a heart happy.

Elisa - Happy New Year Meg!

Erin Goodman - What an awesome gift! You are such an accomplished person! You inspire me through your blog. I can only imagine how blessed your family and friends feel you have you! I don’t have kids, but if I did, I would want to be a mother like you.
Erin 🙂

maribeth - i cried with you! so sweet that he kept that all these years and knew when to give it back to you. it is an amazing accomplishment!

carissa... brown eyed fox - must be… has to be… is the best gift i’ve seen!
your hand written note.
such insight you had! and how accomplished you ARE!
a TEACHER to MANY!
a NURSE of boo boos & spirits!
a truly terrific MOTHER!
made me cry too… to see your joy!
what a FULL Christmas… thanks for sharing!
and meg… wishing you & your beautiful family a blessed NeW YeAr!
bountiful in goodness & love!

Meredith - Aw Meg…you made me cry. Imagine how proud your Dad must have been finding that note, framing it for you and so excited in wanting to acknowledge and honour the woman you’ve grown into.
Sometimes, if we’re really lucky, real life turns out to be better than we ever imagined…even as a 2nd grader. Meredith xo.
p.s. being a mother, surely you qualify as a nurse and teacher anyway, right?

Elyse - I love your dads gift!!! you ARE an accomplished woman, in the most important, incredible, awesome way! Happy New Year~

Julie - I started to cry when I read the last line, too! Such a thoughtful gift. You are *such* an accomplished woman.
I love the “R”, too! That’s awesome!

immyyas - What an amazing gift from your mom & dad!!! I teared up as I was reading it… almost sounds ust like me when I was that age – except the artist part… I’m not good at any of that stuff. Being a good mommy is a HUGE accomplishment – from reading your blog it looks as though you are great!
P.S. Totally dind’t notice you didn’t have makeup on but then looked closer after I read that… then I thought to myself I would have thought people noticed too. How funny!

Kara - Copying what the others have said…What an amazing gift from your mom and dad! I love sentimental gifts like that. Loved the R too.

Gina - This is the first time for me to visit your blog. I immediately cried after reading the gift from your Dad…how wonderful!
I love the pencil covered R…I would love the directions to make one.
I will definitely visit your blog again.
Happy New Year

emily - what a wonderful gift from your dad!!! and that “R” . . . how fun!!!
but the reggie jersey . . . now that’s fantastic!!!! a saints fan all the way in kansas!!!

Tammy Alfultis - love the gift from your dad. it made me cry too.

Heather Giustino - That present your dad got you is so, so sweet! I would have been bawling too! You are such an accomplished woman, and I thank you for letting us read about your fun life!!
Wishing you and your family all the best in 2010!

Kirsten - Oh your dad got me with that present – totally teared up!
thanks so much for sharing your family…my mom is from Kansas, and it’s been 30+ years since I visited, but you make me want to come knock on your door. Oooh, I hope that doesn’t sound stalkerish.

Becky @ Farmgirl Paints - You know the reason I read every one of your posts?? You let us in and share your sweet life. I have so loved getting to know you this year.
You made me cry…just seeing you cry about that framed piece…that is something I would have done. You just have a tender heart:)
Loved the hat and the colored pencil letter thingy. Need a tutorial on that:)
Hope you have a fabulous year Meg. Thanks for being such a blessing to me day after day!!

Jess - It sounds like you had a wonderful Christmas. How fun! You HAVE to teach me how to make those colored pencil letters. I love it! I have lots of colored pencils left over from teaching. :o)

Kelly - Oh my word! That was so sweet of your dad! I teared up reading it! What’s weird is your’s is the third blog to talk about lifelong dreams and motherhood today.
Can I ask why you pointed out that the Abercrombie shirt is a hand me down? I have a strong opinion about that company so I was just wondering.
I loved your Christmas recaps! Thanks for sharing!

H-Mama - such a wonderfully fun and creative family you have!! love that!

Michelle - What a lovely gift from your dad. So precious that they’d kept it all these years!
I have to get directions for making the colored pencil letters!! Do you have a site where you learned what to do? I’d love to do it for/with my daughter.
~Michelle

Melanie - Oh Meg, you are just like me. My mom gave me Caden’s handprints that she had copied on the copy machine at work when he was two yrs. old. and I cried like a baby. I love things like that that don’t cost a dime but really mean something. Thank you for sharing that with us. It was beautiful. You had great penmanship (sp?) back in the second grade!

Courtney - I love that your dad does that for you guys each year – and I’m glad I’ve heard about it now so that I can be mindful of it so that I can give that special gift to my kids someday – you know when they’ll appreciate it lol.
The paper you wrote was precious, and the fact that you’ve now got it framed, and what you said then to have the meaning it does now in your life – yeah, it made me cry too and it’s not mine and we don’t even know each other LOL!

Priscila - seriously super cute!!!! I would cry too. the only think I have of when I was little was a christmas card someone wrote me in Kindergarten. We still have it…its says ” I lick you” instead of I like you. We laugh every year hahah

Angel/TaDa! Creations - Oh my! I started tearing up when I read what your dad gave you, just before you said that you had cried too. What a beautiful gift!
Loved the colored pencil “R” what are they all attached to? I’d love to make one for each of my kids to hang in the playroom.

Tonya - What a great gift from you daddy!!! I also have an awesome relationship w/my dad….it was rocky growing up, but God has done a good work for us.
I also love that “R”. My maiden name also starts w/R. How exactly does one go about making a colored pencil letter? Could the colored pencils be sawed of the various lenghts?

kathy b - You packed so much family time into this Christmas. Your dad’s gift made me cry too.
God honored the desire of your heart.
Kathy b

Vera - That made ME cry!! What an awesome, awesome gift!

Seleta - You just made me smile…and cry.
Happy New Year. 🙂

Kirsten - What a wonderful gift from your dad! He sounds like such a thoughtful man. (I love that he’s given you and your sister framed pictures from when you were little – what a great idea! I want to remember that when my kids are grown.) I’m sure you’ll give it a place of honor in your home. Best wishes to you and yours for a new year filled with peace and promise.

Tanya - What a magical Christmas. I love the gift from your Dad. How amazing. Happy New Year!

Micah - Oh my goodness. I can’t even believe that I’m sitting here crying over what you wrote when you were 9. It is precious. And even more special that your dad saved it all these years and gave it back to you. What a nifty idea for my own children! (I guess i need to stop throwing all these papers away – sigh)

Jaimie - i cried when i read this. that is SO sweet. beyond.
and the R is my new inspiration. : )

Shannon - Oh, I started crying when I read your post about the gift your dad gave you. What a precious memory. Thank you for sharing.

Amy Coose - That is one of the most amazing gifts I’ve ever seen. Kudos to your mom and dad for that. Love all the pics, what amazing memories you’ll have.

Jacci - Why haven’t I been following your blog all year? I’ve visited more than a handful of times, several weeks pass and then I type “Meg Duerksen” in the google search bar to find you again and catch up on your posts. No more. I’m here, you’re in my blog’s sidebar, and I’m reading every little post from now on 🙂
~Jacci in Ohio

Summer - I love that. I cried through the rest of your post!

Stephanie Carroll - I love that you cried. Keepin’ it real!!

Jill - Thank you for allowing me to follow your life this year!

Jen - That is such a great present. Wow. And, could you adopt me into your family? My family is filled with hurt feelings and judgment. I’m available!!

Sarah @ Dream In Domestic - That is the sweetest gift ever! I almost cried when I read it! I’d definitely say you have accomplished a lot. My dream is also to be a mother, so I hope one day I will feel accomplished even when my house is a mess and all my children have attitudes.
Happy New Year, Meg!

Hattie - What a wonderful present you got! So sweet. I love the “R” your sister made. Hope you & your family have a Happy New Year!

Heather - Oh my goodness! I cried too! And then I saw you crying and really broke down! I am so emotional. YOU ARE an accomplished woman! You are everything you wanted to be on that list. You are an amazing artist, a teacher, a nurse and a mother. What a wonderful blessing! Such a great gift to receive something like that!!!
And no make-up?? No fair! You are beautiful! If I didn’t wear make-up I would surely scare everyone around me!!! LOL
Looks like you and your family had a wonderful and blessed (and busy) holiday season!
PS LOVE the R
Blessings,
Heather:)

aimee - happy new year meg!! the page you wrote as a little girl is just priceless!

sarah - I burst into tears myself, when I read that last line (I’m a total sap), so I can just imagine the feelings you felt. What a special gift. Wow.
And you are very accomplished. An inspiration to me.

the inadvertent farmer - Love the striped sweater, the polka dot hat, the kid blowing snow but most the love and family that comes from your shots…so very sweet! Kim

Dana Banana - Thanks for the first cry of the day. I guess that it’s better than the first spill (or puke)!!

DreamGirlLisa - What a wonderful way to end the new year. Love the gift from your dad. I bet your parents were dying to see all of you, but in the end it just made Christmas last longer, no harm in that!
I definitely consider you an artist too, and every mom is a little bit nurse & teacher! I think you accomplished all you dreamed of!
Happy New Year!

Jess - i have just loved reading all about your Christmas. what a wonderful father you have.

Megan - Ok, I just fell apart when I read that. My son said “Mom stop reading those, they always make you cry”. I told them they are good tears. You finally made me realize that just being a mother is a wonderful thing, thank you!
Meg

Jo - The gift totally made me tear up too!!!! AT WORK!!! 🙂 It does mean a lot, it’s so sweet. Thanks for sharing

emlovesdrew@gmail.com - that gift made ME cry!! So sweet!

kbonikowsky - Beautiful Christmas posts, Megan. Thanks for sharing!

Cassie - geez meg,
that totally made me cry.
is that weird? 🙂
apparently not considering the previous comments…

Lisa - I got all teary eyed along with you. You are definitely an accomplished woman in my book!

purejoy - is it weird that I burst into tears when i read your framed piece of art? so precious. i love that your family is so intentional.
great photos (as usual). i sometimes don’t take photos because i don’t want to be “that mom.”
rats.

The Unconventional Doctor's Wife - It is good to put the true value we have as mothers into perspective sometimes, isn’t it! What an awesome gift! Somewhere deep inside of you, there is a 2nd grade version of yourself saying, “See….you are as great as I thought you could be!” Precious!

A pocket full of posies... - Crying with you…what an AWESOME gift!!! and b.t.w.- I feel you are quite accomplished in LOTS of ways!!! 🙂
Happy 2010!
Many Blessings!
Jill

Trasie - You are very accomplished and blessed!
I knew I was saving everything my kids write on notebook paper for a reason…….A family tradition when they get older!!!
Happy New Year to you!!!

Georgia - Awww Meg! Thats an amazing present from your parents, i felt choked when i read it too. 🙂
You only have to read all the lovely peoples comments on here to realise you ARE an acomplished woman! your an amazing Mother, and im sure your children and Craig are very proud to have you in their lives.
Geo xx

Susan - I have tears too! The amazing thing about being a mother is that you are also a nurse, artist and teacher! I enjoy your blog so much. Have a happy new year Meg!

amy jupin - oh you silly, silly girl!
the gift from your dad couldn’t be any sweeter.
an artist, a teacher, a mother…oh the foreshadowing here! 🙂
happy new year from your equally as crazy southern friend!

kristen - i feel like a dork, but i burst into tears when i read your gift too. everytime i read your blog i think to myself how you are everyday doing the things i would love to be filling my days with. i am envious that you knew you wanted to be doing these things in 2nd grade… i am 29 and just figuring this out. if only i would have realized this in 2nd grade, it would have saved me three years of law school and loads of student loan debt! 🙂 you are a very accomplished woman! don’t question that for a second! 🙂 xoxo

Rachel - What a wonderful Christmas! Such a sweet gift from your dad too. It’s so fun to look back on stuff like that!

Dianne Avery - OMG! What a great present!! I teared up too when I read it.

Share on FacebookTweet this PostPin Images to PinterestBack to Top